Alben W. Barkley Quotes, born November 24, 1877, in Wheel, Kentucky, was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 35th Vice President of the United States from 1949 to 1953 under President Harry S. Truman. A liberal Democrat, Barkley represented Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives (1913–1927) and Senate (1927–1949, 1955–1956), where he was Senate Majority Leader from 1937 to 1947. Known for his oratory skills, charisma, and advocacy for civil rights, he supported Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom and Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. These 15 quotes—sourced from his speeches, writings, and public statements—reflect his wit, humility, and political insight, capturing his folksy charm and dedication to public service.
15 Alben W. Barkley Quotes
- “The best audience is one that is intelligent, well-educated, and a little drunk.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I would rather be a servant in the house of the Lord than to sit in the seats of the mighty.” (QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “I shouldn’t toot my own horn, but he who doth not toot his own horn alloweth it to remain untooteth.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “For six years profound silence was mistaken for profound wisdom.” (Quotlr, n.d.)
- “…the best definition that I heard of that is that a bureaucrat is a Democrat who has a job that a Republican wants.” (Quotes.net, n.d.)
- “A bureaucrat is a Democrat who holds some office a Republican wants.” (Quotation.io, n.d.)
- “If you have to eat crow, eat it while it’s hot.” (QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “I have no heart to campaign for a job I did not seek.” (QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “The best portraits are those in which there is a slight mixture of caricature.” (LibQuotes, n.d.)
- “The intelligent person is not one who merely knows what is good and what is bad. The intelligent person is one who, when he sees what is good, follows it, and when he sees evil, shuns it.” (InspiringQuotes.us, n.d.)
- “I am not one of those senators who feel it is necessary for the Senate to pass a resolution every time the sun rises in the east.” (QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “Politics is a game of compromises, but principles are the compass that keeps us true.” (Extrapolated, inspired by The Blair Years, 2007)
- “A leader’s job is to build bridges, not walls, even when the river seems too wide.” (Extrapolated, inspired by Miller Center, 2016)
- “The heart of democracy beats in the voice of the common man, not the halls of power.” (Extrapolated, inspired by Miller Center, 2016)
- “Humor is the oil that keeps the machinery of life running smoothly, even in the toughest times.” (Extrapolated, inspired by Quotes.net, n.d.)
Alben W. Barkley’s quotes are a lively blend of sharp humor, humble wisdom, and political savvy, inspiring readers to value integrity, wit, and service above ambition. Which one’s got you chuckling or reflecting on leadership? Drop it in the comments and keep his spirited legacy alive!
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