Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
He invented the news magazine. He invested it with an interpretation Tell what happened, tell it well, tell it concisely, but with attention to the belletristic imperative.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
I profoundly believe it takes a lot of practice to become a moral slob.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
I would like to electrocute everyone who uses the word fair in connection with income tax policies.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
Norman Mailer decocts matters of the first philosophical magnitude from an examination of his own ordure, and I am not talking about his books.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
Relate it to what should happen; fuse it into the long morality play that began, really, in the Garden of Eden.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
The Beatles are not merely awful. They are so unbelievably horrible, so appallingly unmusical, so dogmatically insensitive to the magic of the art, that they qualify as crowned heads of antimusic.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
The majority of the senior class of Vassar does not desire my company and I must confess, having read specimens of their thought and sentiments, that I do not desire the company of the majority of the senior class of Vassar.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
To buy very good wine nowadays requires only money. To serve it to your guests is a sign of fatigue.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
We love your adherence to democratic principles.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
Truth is a demure lady, much too ladylike to knock you on your head and drag you to her cave. She is there, but people must want her, and seek her out.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
There is an inverse relationship between reliance on the state and self-reliance.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
Liberals, it has been said, are generous with other peoples' money, except when it comes to questions of national survival when they prefer to be generous with other people's freedom and security.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.
– William F. Buckley, Jr.
A Conservative is a fellow who is standing athwart history yelling 'Stop!'