black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.

Barbara Jordan

What we have to do is strike a balance between the idea that government should do everything and the idea, the belief, that government ought to do nothing. Strike a balance.
BARBARA JORDAN

Balance Government Ideas
We call ourselves public servants but I’ll tell you this: we as public servants must set an example for the rest of the nation. It is hypocritical for the public official to admonish and exhort the people to uphold the common good.
BARBARA JORDAN

Example People Sea
I get from the soil and spirit of Texas the feeling that I, as an individual, can accomplish whatever I want to, and that there are no limits, that you can just keep going, just keep soaring. I like that spirit.
BARBARA JORDAN

Feelings Texas Want
We want to be in control of our lives. Whether we are jungle fighters, craftsmen, company men, gamesmen, we want to be in control. And when the government erodes that control, we are not comfortable.
BARBARA JORDAN

Erode Men Want
We must exchange the philosophy of excuse – what I am is beyond my control for the philosophy of responsibility.
BARBARA JORDAN

Excuse Philosophy Responsibility
We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we must. We are willing to suffer the discomfort of change in order to achieve a better future.
BARBARA JORDAN

Innovation Order Party
How do we create a harmonious society out of so many kinds of people? The key is tolerance — the one value that is indispensable in creating community.
BARBARA JORDAN

Creating Equality Keys Tolerance
Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us.
BARBARA JORDAN

Citizens Ideas Suffering
If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If we as public officials propose, we must produce.
BARBARA JORDAN

Politics Produce Promise
I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in ‘We, the people.’
BARBARA JORDAN

Mistake People Years
We are a heterogeneous party made up of Americans of diverse backgrounds.
BARBARA JORDAN

Backgrounds Made Party
We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation… but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America.
BARBARA JORDAN

Attempt Country People Promise
A government is invigorated when each of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation.
BARBARA JORDAN

Future Government Shaping Willing
Justice of right is always to take precedence over might.
BARBARA JORDAN

Justice Peace Ubuntu
The earth is bread we take and eat.
BARBARA JORDAN

Bread Earth Eat Take
Even as I stand here and admit that we have made mistakes I still believe that as the people of America sit in judgment on each party, they will recognize that our mistakes were mistakes of the heart. They’ll recognize that.
BARBARA JORDAN

Believe Mistake Party

We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Barbara Jordan Quotes