Everett Dirksen quotes

Everett Dirksen was an American politician and longtime U.S. Senator from Illinois, renowned for his influential role in Congress. Known for his distinctive voice and powerful oratory, he played a pivotal part in passing major legislation during the 1960s, including the Civil Rights Act. He became one of the most prominent Republican leaders of his era and left a lasting impact on American politics. Here are 14 of his quotes:

I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.

Everett Dirksen

We have been through this is biennial convulsion four or five different times over the past 10 or 12 years, and now it appears that we are going through this quiet agony all over again.

Everett Dirksen

Stronger than all the armies is an idea thats time has come. ... The time has come for equality of opportunity in sharing in government, in education, and in employment. It will not be stayed or denied. It is here!

Everett Dirksen

But the basic difficulty still remains: It is the expansion of Federal power, about which I wish to express my alarm. How easily we embrace such business.

Everett Dirksen

We are becoming so accustomed to millions and billions of dollars that 'thousands' has almost passed out of the dictionary.

Everett Dirksen

The mind is no match with the heart in persuasion; constitutionality is no match with compassion.

Everett Dirksen

I have said, with respect to authorization bills, that I do not want the Congress or the country to commit fiscal suicide on the installment plan.

Everett Dirksen

During a political campaign everyone is concerned with what a candidate will do on this or that question if he is elected except the candidate; he's too busy wondering what he'll do if he isn't elected.

Everett Dirksen

When a member of the House moves over to the Senate, he raises the IQ of both bodies.

Everett Dirksen

When all is said and done, the real citadel of strength of any community is in the hearts and minds and desires of those who dwell there.

Everett Dirksen

There is no force so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

Everett Dirksen

When I face an issue of great import that cleaves both constituents and colleagues, I always take the same approach. I engage in deep deliberation and quiet contemplation. I wait to the last available minute and then I always vote with the losers. Because, my friend, the winners never remember and the losers never forget.

Everett Dirksen