130 Quotes by William Safire

When articulation is impossible, gesticulation comes to the rescue.

The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.

Writers who used to show off their erudition no longer sing in the bare ruined choir of the media.

Do not be taken in by 'insiderisms.' Fledgling columnists, eager to impress readers with their grasp of journalistic jargon, are drawn to such arcane spellings as 'lede.' Where they lede, do not follow.

I welcome new words, or old words used in new ways, provided the result is more precision, added color or greater expressiveness.

I think we all have a need to know what we do not need to know.

When I need to know the meaning of a word, I look it up in a dictionary.

Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don't know and I don't care.

If you re-read your work, you can find on re-reading a great deal of repetition can be avoided by re-reading and editing.