Favorite Quotations – Friends & Family
“When one of our people gets in a position where he can do us some good, he stops being one of our people.”
(known as Evans’ Law)
M. Stanton Evans, author and journalist
“The shortest measurable interval of time is between the election of your best friend to Congress, and his appointment of your worst enemy as his Chief of Staff.”
(known as Ryan’s Corollary to Evans’ Law) John L. Ryan, former Chairman, Postal Rate Commission; former Vice Chairman, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service
“It’s not a choice between philosophical solidarity and technological
competence. If the person is not with us, why are we even discussing him?”
John L. Ryan, discussing President Ronald Reagan’s numerous hires of
government technocrats who opposed him, circa 1981 (based on
recollection, not writing)
“It’s amazing how much credit you can take, if you don’t care about accomplishing anything.”
M. Stanton Evans, author and journalist (July 20, 1934 – March 3, 2015)
The American Spectator
“He who writes the Resolved Clause, wins the debate.”
M. Stanton Evans
“To achieve victory, first you must seek it.”
Howard Phillips, Chairman,
The Conservative Caucus (1941-2013)
“Litigation always takes more time, is more expensive, and is more complicated than you expect.”
Howard Phillips, Chairman,
The Conservative Caucus (1941-2013)
“What’s the difference between an optimist and a pessimist? A pessimist has better information.”
Howard Phillips, Chairman,
The Conservative Caucus (1941-2013)
“”We are more free do do that which is right than we think we are.””
Howard Phillips, Chairman,
The Conservative Caucus (1941-2013)
“Sometimes to get ahead, you need to put yourself
behind the eight ball.”
Walter J. Olson, Sr. (1913-2002)
“We’re all ignorant — just about different things.”
Walter J. Olson, Sr. (1913-2002)
“Everything’s easy, when you know how to do it.”
Walter J. Olson, Sr. (1913-2002)
“If an egg is bad, it will let you know right away.”
Walter J. Olson, Sr. (1913-2002)
“If it isn’t written down, it doesn’t exist.”
Rob Pollack. formerly Chairman, College
Republican National Committee; Confidential Assistant to Assistant Secretary of Defense, G. Warren Nutter; General Counsel, Reilly Tar & Chemical Corp.
“Where the reason for the rule does not apply,
so also should not the rule.”
J. Rodney Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Law,
University of Richmond School of Law
“Just because a question is asked, doesn’t mean it has to be answered.”
William F. Rhatican (1940-2014) Assistant Press Secretary, President Gerald Ford & Staff Assistant to the President, President Richard Nixon