People in places many of us never heard of, whose names we can't pronounce or even spell, are speaking up for themselves. They speak in languages we once classified as ''exotic'' but whose mastery is now essential for our diplomats and businessmen. But what they say is very much the same the world over. They want a decent standard of living. They want human dignity and a voice in their own futures. They want their children to grow up strong and healthy and free.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Third World]

The heroes of the world community are not those who withdraw when difficulties ensue, not those who can envision neither the prospect of success nor the consequence of failure -- but those who stand the heat of battle, the fight for world peace through the United Nations.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [United Nations]

The pursuit of peace resembles the building of a great cathedral. It is the work of a generation. In concept it requires a master-architect; in execution, the labors of many.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Peace]

A politician never forgets the precarious nature of elective life. We have never established a practice of tenure in public office.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Politicians and Politics]

Never answer a question from a farmer.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Politicians and Politics]

The essence of statesmanship is not a rigid adherence to the past, but a prudent and probing concern for the future.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Politicians and Politics]

Unfortunately, our affluent society has also been an effluent society.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Pollution]

The President is the people's lobbyist.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [President]

Profit and morality are a hard combination to beat.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Profits]

Propaganda, to be effective, must be believed. To be believed, it must be credible. To be credible, it must be true.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Propaganda]

American public opinion is like an ocean -- it cannot be stirred by a teaspoon.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Public Opinion]

To be realistic today is to be visionary. To be realistic is to be starry-eyed.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Reality]

I think the worst thing this nation could do for humanity would be to leave any uncertainty as to our will, our purpose and our capacity to carry out our purpose.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Respectability]

History teaches us that the great revolutions aren't started by people who are utterly down and out, without hope and vision. They take place when people begin to live a little better -- and when they see how much yet remains to be achieved.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Revolutions and Revolutionaries]

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts -- it's what you do with what you have left.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Revolutions and Revolutionaries]

National isolation breeds national neurosis.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Isolation]

We should have learnt by now that laws and court decisions can only point the way. They can establish criteria of right and wrong. And they can provide a basis for rooting out the evils of bigotry and racism. But they cannot wipe away centuries of oppression and injustice -- however much we might desire it.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Law and Lawyers]

Leadership in today's world requires far more than a large stock of gunboats and a hard fist at the conference table.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Leaders and Leadership]

Liberalism, above all, means emancipation -- emancipation from one's fears, his inadequacies, from prejudice, from discrimination... from poverty.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Liberals]

The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.
~ Hubert H. Humphrey - [Listening]