Quotes Library

March 28, 2025

A government is the only known vessel that leaks from the top.

James Reston (1909–1995), American journalist, The Portable Curmudgeon, Jon Winokur, ed. (New York: 1987), p.124

How frequently do you or would you leak? Drop a hint? Send something off in a brown paper envelope?

And good that governments do leak, else Reston (one of the most influential journalists of his day) would have had a lot fewer scoops to report.


More Quotes

October 29, 2025
If you are involved in important affairs or seeking power, you must exaggerate your successes.
July 21, 2025
People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage.
December 3, 2025
Healey’s first law of politics: when you are in a hole, stop digging.
Page 4 of 124