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When you can't do any housecleaning because everything that goes on is a damned secret, then we're on our way to something the Founding Fathers didn't have in mind. Secrecy and a free, democratic government don't mix.

Harry S. Truman

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Harry S. Truman
Age: 88 †
Born: 1884
Born: May 8
Died: 1972
Died: December 26
33Rd U.S. President
Businessperson
Diarist
Judge
Military Officer
Politician
Lamar
Missouri
Harry Truman
Truman
President Truman
H. S. Truman
H. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Free
Father
Secrecy
Didn
Damned
Government
Founding
Everything
Fathers
Mind
Democratic
Something
Goes
Way
Secret

More quotes by Harry S. Truman

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We must earn the peace we seek just as we earned victory in the war, not by wishful thinking but by realistic effort. At no time in our history has unity among our people been so vital as it is at the present time. Unity of purpose, unity of effort, and unity of spirit are essential to accomplish the task before us.
Harry S. Truman
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An honest public servant can't become rich in politics. He can only attain greatness and satisfaction by service.
Harry S. Truman
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Despite his unimpressive appearance and manner, he was a brilliant fellow with a crystal-clear mind.... It was just that, when it came time for him to act like an executive, he was like a great many other people when the time comes to make decisions, they have difficulty doing it.
Harry S. Truman
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In this shrinking world, it is futile to seek safety behind geographical barriers. Real security will be found only in law and in justice.
Harry S. Truman
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There isn't any question about Washington's greatness. If his administration had been a failure, there would have been no United States. A lesser man couldn't have done it.... Washington was both a great administrator and a great leader, a truly great man in every way.
Harry S. Truman
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Herbert Hoover once ran on the slogan, 'Two cars in every garage'. Apparently, the Republican candidate this year is running on the slogan, 'Two families in every garage'.
Harry S. Truman
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Yours is not the task of making your way in the world, but the task of remaking the world which you will find before you.
Harry S. Truman
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The difficulty with businessmen entering politics, after they've had a successful business career, is that they want to start at the top.
Harry S. Truman
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When even one American - who has done nothing wrong - is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth - then all Americans are in peril.
Harry S. Truman
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I don't want this office, this responsibility, any longer, even if you want me. Find the strongest and most able and God bless you. Good-bye.
Harry S. Truman
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Not every reader is a leader, but every leader must be a reader.
Harry S. Truman
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Some of my best friends never agree with me politically.
Harry S. Truman
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Some questions cannot be answered, but they can be decided.
Harry S. Truman
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There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.
Harry S. Truman
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Within the first few months I discovered that being president is like riding a tiger. A man has to keep riding or be swallowed. The fantastically crowded nine months of 1945 taught me that a President either is constantly on top of events or, if he hesitates, events will soon be on top of him. I never felt I could let up for a single moment.
Harry S. Truman
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When you have to deal with a beast, you have to treat him as a beast. It is most regrettable but nevertheless true.
Harry S. Truman
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Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.
Harry S. Truman
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This administration is going to be cussed and discussed for years to come.
Harry S. Truman
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If you want to get elected, shake hands with 25, 000 people between and November 7.
Harry S. Truman
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The United States, which would live on Christian principles with all of the peoples of the world, cannot omit a fair deal for its own Indian citizens.
Harry S. Truman