Philander Chase Johnson Quotes

37 Sourced Quotes

The great orator is not necessarily a statesman. More frequently he is a misstatesman.

Philander Chase Johnson
Some statesmen seem lucky because they are wise; others seem wise because they are lucky.

Philander Chase Johnson
The ability to conceal ignorance sometimes avails more than the capacity for accumulating great wisdom.

Philander Chase Johnson
Every man who has attained to high position is a sincere believer of the survival of the fittest.

Philander Chase Johnson
A statesman usually affects an impressive demeanor, not because he believes he is a great man, but to avoid disappointing his constituents, who do think so.

Philander Chase Johnson
'In God We Trust' appears on the coins employed in small transactions, but we don't have it engraved on our check-books.

Philander Chase Johnson
It may be true that every man has his price, but it is only a fool who goes around constantly with the price-tag on public exhibition.

Philander Chase Johnson
When in doubt for an argument, turn to statistics. They sound wise and very few people will do the arithmetic necessary to contradict you.

Philander Chase Johnson
In some cases it would be really cheaper to send a member of Congress his salary and mileage by mail and let him stay at home.

Philander Chase Johnson
Modest demeanor is not only becoming but discreet; as soon as you begin pointing with pride to what you have done, you invite people to start asking questions.

Philander Chase Johnson
I could forgive a political opponent who managed to take an unfair advantage of me, but I could never forgive myself.

Philander Chase Johnson
The good opinion of posterity never pays dividends to the original investor.

Philander Chase Johnson