Margaret Chase Smith Quotes & Sayings

The key to security is public information. — Margaret Chase Smith

And this I do believe above all, especially in times of greater discouragement, that I must BELIEVE-that I must believe in my fellow people-that I must believe in myself-that I must believe in God-if life is to have any meaning. — Margaret Chase Smith

Greatness is not manifested by unlimited pragmatism, which places such a high premium on the end justifying any means and any methods. — Margaret Chase Smith

Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own words and acts, ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism: The right to criticize. The right to hold unpopular beliefs. The right to protest. The right of independent thought. — Margaret Chase Smith

Freedom unexercised may become freedom forfeited. — Margaret Chase Smith

We should not permit tolerance to degenerate into indifference. — Margaret Chase Smith

The Senate has been debased to the level of a forum of hate and character assassination sheltered by the shield of congressional immunity. — Margaret Chase Smith

I speak as briefly as possible because too much harm has already been done with irresponsible words of bitterness and selfish political opportunism. I speak as simply as possible because the issue is too great to be obscured by eloquence. I speak simply and briefly in the hope that my words will be taken to heart. — Margaret Chase Smith

My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honor is to be earned, not bought. — Margaret Chase Smith

Smears are not only to be expected but fought. Honor is to be earned, not bought. — Margaret Chase Smith

In real love you want the other person's good. In romantic love, you want the other person. — Margaret Chase Smith

We are Republicans. But we are Americans first. It is as Americans that we express our concern with the growing confusion that threatens the security and stability of our country. — Margaret Chase Smith

When people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it. — Margaret Chase Smith

Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought. — Margaret Chase Smith

My basic rule is to speak slowly and simply so that my audience has an opportunity to follow and think about what I am saying. — Margaret Chase Smith

As long as there are big corporations, there will be big unions. The economic power of big business will be matched by the economic power of the big unions. — Margaret Chase Smith

I don't believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest. Surely we Republicans aren't that desperate for victory. — Margaret Chase Smith

Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation. — Margaret Chase Smith

I think that it is high time that we remembered that we have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution. I think that it is high time that we remembered that the Constitution, as amended, speaks not only of the freedom of speech but also of trial by jury instead of trial by accusation. — Margaret Chase Smith

I always try to think before I talk. — Margaret Chase Smith

As an American, I want to see our nation recapture the strength and unity it once had when we fought the enemy instead of ourselves. — Margaret Chase Smith

Women administer the home. They set the rules, enforce them, mete out justice for violations. Thus, like Congress, they legislate; like the Executive, they administer; like the courts, they interpret the rules. It is an ideal experience for politics. — Margaret Chase Smith

The right to criticize: the right to hold unpopular beliefs; the right to protest; the right of independent thought. The exercise of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his reputation or his right to a livelihood ... Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own. — Margaret Chase Smith

I do not want to see the Republican party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny-fear, ignorance, bigotry and smear. — Margaret Chase Smith

Freedom unexercised may be freedom forfeited. The preservation of freedom is in the hands of the people themselves - not of the government. — Margaret Chase Smith

Surely the United States Senate is big enough to take self-criticism and self-appraisal. Surely we should be able to take the same kind of character attacks that we "dish out" to outsiders. — Margaret Chase Smith

One of the basic causes for all the trouble in the world today is that people talk too much and think too little. They act impulsively without thinking. — Margaret Chase Smith

It is time that the great center of our people, who reject the violence and unreasonableness of both the extreme right and the extreme left, searched their consciences, mustered their moral and physical courage, shed their intimidated silence, and declare their consciences. — Margaret Chase Smith

Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character. — Margaret Chase Smith