Quotes from William Safire

I'm a right-wing pundit and have been for many years.

Today, war of necessity is used by critics of military action to describe unavoidable response to an attack like that on Pearl Harbor that led to our prompt, official declaration of war, while they characterize as unwise wars of choice the wars in Korea, Vietnam and the current war in Iraq.

At a certain point, what people mean when they use a word becomes its meaning.

Writers who used to show off their erudition no longer sing in the bare ruined choir of the media.

It is in the nature of tyranny to deride the will of the people as the voice of the mob, and to denounce the cry for freedom as the roar of anarchy.

We are all environmentalists now, but we are not all planetists. An environmentalist realizes that nature has its pleasures and deserves respect. A planetist puts the earth ahead of the earthlings.

Decide on some imperfect Somebody and you will win, because the truest truism in politics is: You can't beat Somebody with Nobody.

The Latin motto over Poindexter's new Pentagon office reads Scientia Est Potentia - "knowledge is power." Exactly: the government's infinite knowledge about you is its power over you.

You don't want lopsided government. You don't want one side running roughshod over the other.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home, when he was British Foreign Secretary, said he received the following telegram from an irate citizen: "To hell with you. Offensive letter follows."

The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.

Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.

Previously known for its six syllables of sweetness and light, reconciliation has become the political fighting word of the year.

Only in grammar can you be more than perfect.

Nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected.

If you re-read your work, you can find on re-reading a great deal of repetition can be avoided by re-reading and editing.

Use the semicolon properly, always use it where it is appropriate; and never where it isn't. Reserve the apostrophe for it's proper use and omit it when its not needed.... Avoid commas, that are not necessary.... And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.... If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is...

Decide on some imperfect Somebody and you will win, because the truest truism in politics is You can't beat Somebody with Nobody.

No one flower can ever symbolize this nation. America is a bouquet.

The first ladyship is the only federal office in which the holder can neither be fired nor impeached.

What we don't need to know for achievement, we need to know for our pleasure. Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation, and is thus a source of civilized delight.

Never assume the obvious is true.

Remember to never split an infinitive. The passive voice should never be used. Do not put statements in the negative form. Proofread carefully to see if you words out. And don't start a sentence with a conjugation.

Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don't know and I don't care.