Sol Levitan Quotes

No public man can be just a little crooked.

I didn’t want you to recommend anyone for the place who I cannot implicitly rely upon to refuse a $10 bill when an Italian offers it to him, as will happen almost every day.

I have sat at the sumptuous table of power, but I have not run away with the silverware.

An honest man in politics shines more there than he would elsewhere.

In public life as in private life, a man of the very highest repute will occasionally go wrong..

In Washington, and wherever two or more politicians may gather, he who does not get caught has ‘character’ and he who gets caught has none..

O sir, you are old; nature in you stands on the very verge of her confine; you should be ruled and led by some discretion, that discerns your fate better than you yourself.

Between a fellow who is stupid and honest and one who is smart and crooked, I will take the first. I won't get much out of him, but with that other guy I can't keep what I've got.

When people are old enough to know better they are old enough to do worse.

A lot of people like a lot of money. They shouldn't go into politics.

No man could be equipped for the presidency if he has never been tempted by one of the seven cardinal sins.

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

The only way you get to be a “wise man” is to outlive your contemporaries and keep your mouth shut.

A public fund is collected by no fewer than two [persons], and disbursed by no fewer than three.

There are a lot of smart people in politics and government, but character matters ... it is terribly important that the two be melded.

I am the only public servant and the only Mexican President ever who has made his finances public from before, during, and after public service.

Political leaders, elected by the public and vested with the power to shape public life, owe it to citizens to set better standards regarding their use of money, and their conduct, both in and out of office.

An old warrior is never in haste to strike the blow.

Before we acquire great power we must acquire wisdom to use it well

… to escape censure a man must pass his whole life without saying or doing one ill or foolish thing.

Every man has his price.

Big money is not a good thing for a little soul: it will only ensnare his feet, and he will fall to his ruin. Wealth is safe only for those who have a wealth of wisdom.

It is always right to detect a fraud, and to perceive a folly; but it is very often wrong to expose either. A man of business should always have his eyes open, but must often seem to have them shut.

I believe in professionalism, less in politicians.

There is no honest man! not one, that can resist the attraction of gold!