130 Quotes by William Safire

The tension between the governed and the governing is what makes the world go ’round. It’s not love, it’s that tension, because that tension exists in love affairs. The whole idea of control is at the heart of human relationships. Control and resistance to control.

To be accused of ‘channeling’ is to be dismissed as a ventriloquist’s live dummy, derogated at not having a mind of one’s own.

The wonderful thing about being a New York Times columnist is that it’s like a Supreme Court appointment – they’re stuck with you for a long time.

Never put the story in the lead. Let ’em have a hot shot of ambiguity right between the eyes.