“A politician is a statesman who approaches every question with an open mouth.”
Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965) mid-20th-century Governor of Illinois and Ambassador to the UN
Quoted in The Fine Art of Political Wit by Leon Harris (1964)
“Some people approach every problem with an open mouth.”
As quoted in The Wordsworth Dictionary of Quotations (1998) by Connie Robertson.
Similar statements by others:
Mr. Hogg observed facetiously that interpreters were rather like politicians: they are people who approach every problem with an open mouth.
Quintin Hogg, as quoted in Annual Review of United Nations Affairs (1949) by Clyde Eagleton, p. 136.
Modern diplomats approach every problem with an open mouth.
Arthur J. Goldberg, as quoted in Affronts, Insults and Indignities (1975) by Morris Mandel
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Adlai Stevenson131
mid-20th-century Governor of Illinois and Ambassador to the… 1900–1965Related quotes
“So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!”
Dr. Seuss book One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Horton Hears a Who! (1954)
Source: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Context: "This", cried the Mayor, "is your town's darkest hour!
The time for all Whos who have blood that is red
To come to the aid of their country!", he said.
"We've GOT to make noises in greater amounts!
So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!"
Freeman Dyson (1923) theoretical physicist and mathematician
Disturbing the Universe (1979), Pt. 1, Ch. 1
Mao Zedong (1893–1976) Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
“On Tactics Against Japanese Imperialism” (December 27, 1935)
“Tis better people think you a fool, then open your mouth and erase all doubt.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) 16th President of the United States
Variously attributed to Lincoln, Elbert Hubbard, Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin and Socrates
Misattributed
Variant: It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
“Successful people are realistic about their problems and find positive ways to approach them.”
John C. Maxwell (1947) American author, speaker and pastor
Book Sometimes you win Sometimes you Learn
G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English mystery novelist and Christian apologist
Original quote:
For my friend said that he opened his intellect as the sun opens the fans of a palm tree, opening for opening's sake, opening infinitely for ever. But I said that I opened my intellect as I opened my mouth, in order to shut it again on something solid. I was doing it at the moment. And as I truly pointed out, it would look uncommonly silly if I went on opening my mouth infinitely, for ever and ever.
The Extraordinary Cabman, one of many essays collected in Tremendous Trifles (1909)
Misattributed
Frank Herbert (1920–1986) American writer
"Laclac Riddle"; p. 68
The Bureau of Sabotage series, Whipping Star (1969)
