Quotes about major
page 23

Tom Watson (Labour politician) photo

“There is no such thing as a good Brexit deal, which is why I believe we should advocate for Remain. That is what the overwhelming majority of Labour Party members, MPs and trade unions believe.”

Tom Watson (Labour politician) (1967) British politician

Brexit: Labour deputy Tom Watson calls for referendum ahead of election https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49657006 BBC News (11 September 2019)
2019

Wendell Berry photo
Paul Krugman photo
John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton photo

“If it can be shown that the majority of women will probably be Liberal, or that they will divide equally, I should say that the balance is, very slightly, in favour of giving them votes.”

John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton (1834–1902) British politician and historian

Letter to William Ewart Gladstone (26 April 1891), quoted in J. N. Figgis and R. V. Laurence (eds.), Selections from the Correspondence of the First Lord Acton, Vol. I (1917), p. 235

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad photo
Edward Carson, Baron Carson photo
Jacy Reese photo

“The vast majority of people eat animal products not because of how they’re produced, but in spite of it.”

Jacy Reese (1992) American social scientist

The End of Animal Farming: How Scientists, Entrepreneurs, and Activists Are Building an Animal-Free Food System (2018)

Jacques Delors photo

“The crux is the reform of the treaty which would lead to common action. There must be a will to defend the central interests of Europe. If there is no majority voting, then the same level of impotence will continue.”

Jacques Delors (1925) French economist and politician

Speech to the European Parliament (23 October 1991), quoted in The Times (24 October 1991), p. 14
President of the European Commission

Karl Pearson photo

“Science can only answer to the great majority of "metaphysical" problems "I am ignorant."”

Meanwhile, it is idle to be impatient or to indulge in system-making.

Introductory
The Grammar of Science (1900)

Jeff Flake photo
Juan Felipe Herrera photo

“As poets we tend to not like the word “responsibility. I think it’s one of the major responsibilities of the poet.”

Juan Felipe Herrera (1948) American writer

We prefer “freedom”, we want to be as free as we can, but freedom and responsibility can go together. We’re responsible because we’re writers, and we’ve been at this all our lives…

On the poet having both responsibility and freedom in “Interview with Juan Felipe Herrera” https://gulfstreamlitmag.com/archives/online-archives/current-issue-4/features/interview-with-juan-felipe-herrera/ (Gulf Stream, 2015)

David Pearce (philosopher) photo
William Faulkner photo
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke photo

“You may observe yourself...what a difference there is between the true strength of this nation and the fictitious one of the Whigs. How much time, how many lucky incidents, how many strains of power, how much money must go to create a majority of the latter; on the other hand, take but off the opinion that the Crown is another way inclined, the church interest rises with redoubled force, and by its natural genuine strength.”

Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke (1678–1751) English politician and Viscount

Letter to Mr. Drummond (10 November 1710), quoted in Gilbert Parke, Letters and Correspondence, Public and Private, of The Right Honourable Henry St. John, Lord Visc. Bolingbroke; during the Time he was Secretary of State to Queen Anne; with State Papers, Explanatory Notes, and a Translation of the Foreign Letters, &c.: Vol. I (1798), pp. 16–17

Samuel Alito photo

“You can't say that marriage is the union between one man and one woman. Until very recently, that's what the vast majority of Americans thought. Now it's considered bigotry.”

Samuel Alito (1950) Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

On marriage and specifically Gay marriage. Speech before the Federalist Society, November 2020

Zaman Ali photo
Mikhail Gorbachev photo
Lila Downs photo

“When I was in college, I wanted to know more about my Native American past because I come from one of the 64 Native groups that are very much alive [in Mexico]. But there was nothing like that. So I ended up designing my own major that included women’s studies, philosophy, and anthropology.”

Lila Downs (1968) Mexican American singer-songwriter

On shaping her higher education in order to learn more about her heritage in “Lila Downs Reminds Us of the Strength Women Bring to Latin America and its History” https://sheshredsmag.com/lila-downs-14/ in She Shreds (2018 May 3)
Heritage and indigenous peoples

Mary Church Terrell photo
Alice A. Bailey photo

“Glamour is astral in character, and is far more potent at this time than illusion, owing to the enormous majority of people who function astrally always.”

Alice A. Bailey (1880–1949) esoteric, theosophist, writer

Glamour: A World Problem (1950), The Nature of Glamor

Enoch Powell photo

“Have you ever wondered, perhaps, why opinions which the majority of people quite naturally hold are, if anyone dares express them publicly, denounced as 'controversial, 'extremist', 'explosive', 'disgraceful', and overwhelmed with a violence and venom quite unknown to debate on mere political issues? It is because the whole power of the aggressor depends upon preventing people from seeing what is happening and from saying what they see.The most perfect, and the most dangerous, example of this process is the subject miscalled, and deliberately miscalled, 'race.'”

Enoch Powell (1912–1998) British politician

The people of this country are told that they must feel neither alarm nor objection to a West Indian, African and Asian population which will rise to several millions being introduced into this country. If they do, they are 'prejudiced', 'racialist'... A current situation, and a future prospect, which only a few years ago would have appeared to everyone not merely intolerable but frankly incredible, has to be represented as if welcomed by all rational and right-thinking people. The public are literally made to say that black is white. Newspapers like the Sunday Times denounce it as 'spouting the fantasies of racial purity' to say that a child born of English parents in Peking is not Chinese but English, or that a child born of Indian parents in Birmingham is not English but Indian. It is even heresy to assert the plain fact that the English are a white nation. Whether those who take part know it or not, this process of brainwashing by repetition of manifest absurdities is a sinister and deadly weapon. In the end, it renders the majority, who are marked down to be the victims of violence or revolution or tyranny, incapable of self-defence by depriving them of their wits and convincing them that what they thought was right is wrong. The process has already gone perilously far, when political parties at a general election dare not discuss a subject which results from and depends on political action and which for millions of electors transcends all others in importance; or when party leaders can be mesmerised into accepting from the enemy the slogans of 'racialist' and 'unChristian' and applying them to lifelong political colleagues...</p><p>In the universities, we are told that education and the discipline ought to be determined by the students, and that the representatives of the students ought effectively to manage the institutions. This is nonsense—manifest, arrant nonsense; but it is nonsense which it is already obligatory for academics and journalists, politicians and parties, to accept and mouth upon pain of verbal denunciation and physical duress.</p><p>We are told that the economic achievement of the Western countries has been at the expense of the rest of the world and has impoverished them, so that what are called the 'developed' countries owe a duty to hand over tax-produced 'aid' to the governments of the undeveloped countries. It is nonsense—manifest, arrant nonsense; but it is nonsense with which the people of the Western countries, clergy and laity, but clergy especially—have been so deluged and saturated that in the end they feel ashamed of what the brains and energy of Western mankind have done, and sink on their knees to apologise for being civilised and ask to be insulted and humiliated.</p><p>Then there is the 'civil rights' nonsense. In Ulster we are told that the deliberate destruction by fire and riot of areas of ordinary property is due to the dissatisfaction over allocation of council houses and opportunities for employment. It is nonsense—manifest, arrant nonsense; but that has not prevented the Parliament and government of the United Kingdom from undermining the morale of civil government in Northern Ireland by imputing to it the blame for anarchy and violence.</p><p>Most cynically of all, we are told, and told by bishops forsooth, that communist countries are the upholders of human rights and guardians of individual liberty, but that large numbers of people in this country would be outraged by the spectacle of cricket matches being played here against South Africans. It is nonsense—manifest, arrant nonsense; but that did not prevent a British Prime Minister and a British Home Secretary from adopting it as acknowledged fact.</p>
Source: The "enemy within" speech during the 1970 general election campaign; speech to the Turves Green Girls School, Northfield, Birmingham (13 June 1970), from Still to Decide (1972), pp. 36-37

John F. Kennedy photo
Niccolo Machiavelli photo
João Goulart photo
Alexandra David-Néel photo
Alfred Denning, Baron Denning photo
William F. Buckley Jr. photo
Justin Barrett photo
Lauren Jauregui photo

“Pride to me is a celebration of self. It is a celebration of being fully aware of and proud of your existence. And it's also historically a major monumental moment for the queer community. It was started by a black trans woman. And the movement is still around because we are still looking to feel empowered and still looking for visibility for all of our members.”

Lauren Jauregui (1996) Cuban-American singer and songwriter

[Lauren Jauregui Talks Coming Out in the Digital Age, Teases Debut Solo Album: 'I'm So Proud Of It', https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8517545/lauren-jauregui-teases-debut-solo-album-video, Billboard, June 27, 2019]

Anatole France photo
Yōsuke Kubozuka photo
Layne Beachley photo

“Most people didn’t realise how I struggled throughout my life and career. There was a lot of pain, negative thoughts, and trauma that others didn’t see, and today the majority of the population is enduring this.”

Layne Beachley (1972) Australian surfer

LIFE LESSONS WITH LAYNE BEACHLEY https://www.tracksmag.com.au/news/riding-deep-with-layne-beachley-555092 (October 23 2020)

Mary Ruwart photo
Mary Ruwart photo
Ben Fountain photo
Frithjof Schuon photo
Albert Einstein photo

“It is feared that if many H-bombs are used there will be universal death, sudden only for a minority, but for the majority a slow torture of disease and disintegration.”

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity

1950s, Russell–Einstein Manifesto (1955)

Paulo Coelho photo
Mwanandeke Kindembo photo
Mwanandeke Kindembo photo
Mwanandeke Kindembo photo
Mwanandeke Kindembo photo
Mwanandeke Kindembo photo
Vladimir Putin photo
Peter F. Drucker photo

“We have been forced to put a major emphasis on the acquisition of technical knowledge.”

Peter F. Drucker (1909–2005) American business consultant

1930s- 1950s, An Economist Looks At the Peace (1945)

David Mitchell photo

“Memories refused to fit, or fitted but came unglued. Even months later, how would I know if some major tranche of myself remained lost?”

"The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish", p. 354
Cloud Atlas (2004), The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish (Part 2)

Thokozani Khuphe photo
Jadunath Sarkar photo

“The Hindus are so divided and so foolishly selfish that their majority does not count in actual politics. The atmosphere can clear only after a thunderstorm— after showers of blood.”

Jadunath Sarkar (1870–1958) Indian historian

Sir Jadunath Sarkar, letter on 14 August 1931 to Padam Bhushan Dr. G. S. Sardesai https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.98914/2015.98914.Life-And-Letters-Of-Sir-Jadunath-Sarkar-Section-1---2_djvu.txt https://www.dharmadispatch.in/history/jadunath-sarkar-as-a-seer-a-few-glimpses

Angela Davis photo

“In recent decades the effects of environmental change on insect populations has been the focus of my research. It is widely recognised that invasive alien species, climate change and habitat destruction are all major players in the declines of many insects. Ladybirds are no exception.”

Helen Roy (1969) British ecologist and entomologist

Source: Ladybirds: an interview with Helen Roy, Ecological Entomologist at the BRC https://www.nhbs.com/blog/ladybirds-helen-roy (14 May 2013)

Yvette Herrell photo

“If you can’t be in the majority, at least be in the minority with enough leverage that you can really make things uncomfortable for the Speaker.”

Yvette Herrell (1964) American politician, businesswoman, and real estate agent

Source: Yvette Herrell: Nancy Pelosi’s Majority in ‘Shambles,’ Gives GOP ‘Leverage’ https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2020/11/11/yvette-herrell-nancy-pelosis-majority-in-shambles-gives-gop-leverage/ (11 November 2020)

“Let us stop this system of putting people in positions just because of the contacts they have. That is a major reason why we remain a poorly governed and undeveloped country.”

Grace Alele-Williams (1932–2022) mathematician

Source: https://guardian.ng/features/how-to-have-more-female-vice-chancellors-in-nigerian-varsities/Prof Grace Alele on allowing qualified people in position regardless of the gender.

Jeff "Swampy" Marsh photo

“From a cinema major’s perspective, philosophically, theoretically it’s easier for people to imprint on that character what they think they’re feeling. I don’t know why, but it seems easier for kids to identify with someone like Ferb, or Perry, when they say nothing.”

Jeff "Swampy" Marsh (1960) American television director, writer, producer, storyboard artist and actor

Source: Phineas & Ferb's Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh on Their Platypus Super-Spy Perry https://www.mtv.com/news/2625269/phineas-ferbs-dan-povenmire-and-jeff-swampy-marsh/ (30 May 2012)

“War tore the guts out of the British empire, weakening it in resources and morale. The first major loss was Ireland.”

Jeremy Black (historian) (1955) British military historian

Source: A History of the British Isles (1996)

Dalton Tagelagi photo

“With a 97 per cent vaccination rate (against COVID-19 as of July 2021), it is a tremendous result, and it shows that the majority have chosen to be vaccinated for the safety and wellbeing of the country, and for our children.”

Dalton Tagelagi (1968) New Zealand politician, Premier of Niue and bowler

Source: Dalton Tagelagi (2021) cited in " Covid-19: Niue days from full vaccination, travel bubble in place by end of year https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/125617802/covid19-niue-days-from-full-vaccination-travel-bubble-in-place-by-end-of-year" on Stuff, 7 July 2021.

“We have a very complicated situation with major floods at the level of major arteries, not only in the capital, but in various districts – landslides, collapsed bridges.”

Edite Tenjua (1972) São Tomé and Príncipe lawyer and businesswoman

Source: Edite Tenjua (2021) cited in: " Sao Tome: Government appeals for international help after major flooding https://www.macaubusiness.com/sao-tome-government-appeals-for-international-help-after-major-flooding/" in Macau Business, 30 December 2021.

Chetan Bhagat photo

“The best news of the day. Pfizer vaccine (a major trial was under progress) is 90% effective. Victory for science and humanity. Stock markets soaring across the world. Seems like the real deal this time.”

Chetan Bhagat (1974) Indian author, born 1974

Source: — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) 2021 at Twitter https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1325779100686970882

Alice A. Bailey photo
Milan Stipić photo
Winston S. Churchill photo

“By noon it was clear that the Socialists would have a majority.”

The Second World War (1948–1953)
Source: On the (July 26, 1945) landslide electoral defeat that turned him out of office near the end of WWII, in The Second World War, Volume VI: Triumph and Tragedy (1953), Chapter 40 (The End of My Account), p. 583.
Context: At luncheon my wife said to me, 'It may well be a blessing in disguise. 'I replied, 'At the moment it seems quite effectively disguised.'

Mark Warner photo

“There's a reason why you only do tax policy in a major way every few years — it's really complicated.”

Mark Warner (1954) United States Senator from Virginia

Source: " Senate Democrats target billionaires https://www.axios.com/senate-democrats-billionares-tax-biden-7078079f-7235-4ae6-ab7d-d3bd0476517e.html" (October 23, 2021)

Stéphane Valeri photo

“Exploring the infinitely small particles to better protect our planet and understand its major challenges is essential, so that our decisions live up to the hopes of future generations.”

Stéphane Valeri (1962) Monaco politician

Source: Stéphane Valeri (2021) cited in: " High Level Visit to IAEA Monaco Laboratories Highlights Nuclear Techniques to Protect People, the Ocean https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/high-level-visit-to-iaea-monaco-laboratories-highlights-nuclear-techniques-to-protect-people-the-ocean" in International Atomic Energy Agency, 4 March 2021.

António Costa photo

“An absolute majority doesn't mean absolute power. It doesn't mean governing alone. It's an increased responsibility.”

António Costa (1961) Prime Minister of Portugal

Source: António Costa (2022) cited in: " Portugal election: Socialists win unexpected majority https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60194375" in BBC News, 31 January 2022.

“So—I’m a major. New pay grade.”

Charles E. Gannon (1960) American novelist

She laughed. “My salary has just jumped from nothing to next-to-nothing. What will I spend it all on?”
Source: Fire with Fire (2013), Chapter 33 (p. 378)

Vladimir Zhirinovsky photo

“Unlike the left, we do not trot out any far-fetched or unachievable promises. Our program is straightforward and clear – there should not be any homeless, unemployed or hungry. This is the minimal goal, while the maximum goal is to make a major leap forward.”

Vladimir Zhirinovsky (1946–2022) Russian politician and political activist

"TASS exclusive: Zhirinovsky's first interview as presidential candidate" https://tass.com/politics/983699?utm_source=google.com&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=google.com&utm_referrer=google.com (29 December 2017)

Elizabeth Cheney photo

“It is incredible, but not surprising, that the Democrats would try to remove God from committee proceedings in one of their first acts in the majority. They really have become the party of Karl Marx.”

Elizabeth Cheney (1966) American lawyer

As quoted in "House democrats to strike 'so help me God' from oath", Breitbart News (29 January 2019)

Dmitry Peskov photo

“Right now, everyone is very emotional about what’s going on. And you know what? The overwhelming majority are those who support the president emotionally. There are so many people who want to support the president — not just emotionally, but also in their actions. They’re the overwhelming majority.”

Dmitry Peskov (1967) Russian politician

"'The traitors will disappear on their own' Dmitry Peskov on the coming 'purification of Russian society'" https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/03/18/the-traitors-will-disappear-on-their-own, Meduza, 18 March 2022

Elizabeth Martinez photo

“We need to see how dance, music, theater, art, poetry, are major arenas for alliance-building, especially among youth. Culture can usher in new visions”

Elizabeth Martinez (1925) American community organizer, activist, author, and educator

De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century (2017)

Bounnhang Vorachit photo

“Cooperation for development has now become the major trend of our contemporary world. We have clearly witnessed that diverse forms and scope of cooperation have taken place within and among the regions thus providing a strong boost to the world economic growth.”

Bounnhang Vorachit (1937) former General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (2016-2021)

"Keynote Address by H.E. Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic" https://asean.org/keynote-address-by-h-e-mr-bounnhang-vorachith-prime-minister-of-the-lao-peoples-democratic-republic-2/ (26 July 2005)

“We try to educate the people as a Christian community. We have meetings and prayer time together. In this way, we do not judge things in terms of majority or minority in relationship to the other Christian denominations, because we work together so that all Christians may be one.”

Camillus Archibong Etokudoh (1949) Nigerian catholic priest

“A growing Church that participates in the nation's progress”: Nigerian Bishops comment (9 March 2009) Fides News Agecny http://www.fides.org/en/news/23120-AFRICA_NIGERIA_A_growing_Church_that_participates_in_the_nation_s_progress_Nigerian_Bishops_comment

Joe Biden photo

“We need to pass an immigration bill, look at Germany, look at the rest of the world, we're the only non-xenophobic nation in the world that's a major economy.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

10 June 2014 from same speech, YouTube audio excerpt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKnCCzAv3s4&t=34 via the DC Examiner
2010s, 2014

Teal Swan photo