William F. Buckley (1925-2008)

Quotes

• Knee-jerk liberals and all the certified saints of sanctified humanism are quick to condemn this great and much-maligned Transylvanian statesman.

• Life can't be all bad when for ten dollars you can buy all the Beethoven sonatas and listen to them for ten years.

• I profoundly believe it takes a lot of practice to become a moral slob.

• I would like to electrocute everyone who uses the word 'fair' in connection with income tax policies.

• I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.

• Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

• The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.

• We are so concerned to flatter the majority that we lose sight of how very often it is necessary, in order to preserve freedom for the minority,
  let alone for the individual, to face that majority down.