Heroes for a Better World

Margaret Chase Smith
(1897-1995)

American Politician
First woman elected to both US Senate and House
National Women's Hall of Fame
1989 Presidential Medal of Freedom

birthdate: December 14
birthplace:
Skowhegan, Maine

QUOTES

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.

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.

I always try to think before I talk.

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

"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 but not bought."

The United States Senate has long enjoyed worldwide respect as the greatest deliberative body in the world. But recently that deliberative character has too often been debased to the level of a forum of hate and character assassination sheltered by the shield of congressional immunity.

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. The exercise of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his reputation or his right to a livelihood nor should he be in danger of losing his reputation or livelihood merely because he happens to know someone who holds unpopular beliefs. Who of us doesn't? Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own. Otherwise thought control would have set in.

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.

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. I always try to think before I talk.

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

Leadership is not manifested by coercion, even against the resented. Greatness is not manifested by unlimited pragmatism, which places such a high premium on the end justifying any means and any measures.

 


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