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Wilfrid Laurier Quotes

Former Prime Minister of Canada

Wilfrid Laurier, a former Prime Minister of Canada, was born on November 20, 1841, and passed away on February 17, 1919. He played a significant role in Canadian history, known for his political skills and efforts to unify and develop the country.

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Famous Wilfrid Laurier Quotes

“If I were not French I would choose to be - Scotch.”

Ifs Scotch

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“It is a sound principle of finance, and a still sounder principle of government, that those who have the duty of expending the revenue of a country should also be saddled with the responsibility of levying and providing it.”

Should Stills Country Government Sound Responsibility Principles Duty Finance Providing Revenue Sounder

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“The Englishman respects your opinions, but he never thinks of your feelings.”

Thinking Feelings Opinion Englishmen Think Of You

Book:Wilfrid Laurier on the Platform: Collection of the Principal Speeches Made in Parliament Or Before the People, by the Honorable Wilfrid Laurier ... Member for Quebec-East in the Commons, Since His Entry Into Active Politics in 1871

Source: Wilfrid Laurier on the Platform: Collection of the Principal Speeches Made in Parliament Or Before the People, by the Honorable Wilfrid Laurier ... Member for Quebec-East in the Commons, Since His Entry Into Active Politics in 1871

“We French-Canadians belong to one country, Canada: Canada is for us the whole world: but the English-Canadians have two countries, one here and one across the sea.”

World Two Country Whole Sea Whole World Canada Two Countries

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“The twentieth century belongs to Canada.”

Century Canada Twentieth Century

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“A colony, yet a nation - words never before in the history of the world associated together.”

World Together Nations World History Colony

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“We are here a nation, composed of the most heterogeneous elements-Protestants and Catholics, English, French, German, Irish, Scotch, every one, let it be remembered, with his traditions, with his prejudices. In each of these conflicting antagonistic elements, however, there is a common spot of patriotism, and the only true policy is that which reaches that common patriotism and makes it vibrate in all toward common ends and common aspirations.”

Ends Nations Common Policy Elements Tradition Prejudice Catholic Spots Remembered Aspiration Protestants Scotch Vibrate

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“Whether splendidly isolated or dangerously isolated, I will not now debate; but for my part, I think splendidly isolated, because the isolation of England comes from her superiority.”

Thinking England Debate Isolation Isolated Superiority

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“I claim for Canada this, that in future Canada shall be at liberty to act or not act, to interfere or not interfere, to do just as she pleases, and that she shall reserve to herself the right to judge whether or not there is cause for her to act.”

Causes Liberty Judging Please Claims Canada Reserves Interfere

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“Confederation is a compact, made originally by four provinces but adhered to by all the nine provinces who have entered it, and I submit to the judgment of this house and to the best consideration of its members, that this compact should not be lightly altered.”

Should Made House Four Members Judgment Nine Consideration Submit Altered Provinces Compact Confederation

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“I am a subject of the British Crown, but whenever I have to choose between the interests of England and Canada it is manifest to me that the interests of my country are identical with those of the United States of America.”

Country States America Interest United United States Subjects England British Canada Manifest Crowns United States Of America Identical

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“Canada is free and freedom is its nationality.”

Canada Nationality

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“It would be simply suicidal to French Canadians to form a party by themselves.”

Would Be Form Party Suicide Suicidal

“Quebec does not have Opinions, but only sentiments.”

Doe Opinion Sentiments Quebec

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“The Divinity could be invoked as well in the English language as in the French.”

Wells Language Divinity English Language

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“Why, so soon as French Canadians, who are in the minority in this House and in the country, were to organize as a political party, they would compel the majority to organize as a political party, and the result must be disastrous to themselves.”

Country Political House Results Party Majority Minorities Political Parties

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“I have been represented as a Protestant minister; there was not one of the canvassers of the honourable gentlemen opposite that did not represent to the people that I was not a Minister of the Crown, but that I was a Protestant minister”

People Has Beens Opposites Ministers Gentleman Crowns Protestants

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“I am not here to parade my religious sentiments, but I declare I have too much respect for the faith in which I was born to ever use it as the basis of a political organization”

Use Political Born Religious Too Much Organization Bases Sentiments Parades Religious Love

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“For us, sons of France, political sentiment is a passion; while, for the Englishmen, politics are a question of business.”

Political Passion Son France Sentiments Sentimental Englishmen

“I am quite prepared, if we can do it without any disrespect to the Crown of England, to bring our titles to the marketplace and make a bonfire of them.”

Ifs Can Do England Prepared Titles Crowns Marketplace Disrespect Disrespectful Bonfire

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

“What is hateful is not rebellion but the despotism which induces the rebellion; what is hateful are not rebels but the men, who, having the enjoyment of power, do not discharge the duties of power; they are the men who, having the power to redress wrongs, refuse to listen to the petitioners that are sent to them; they are the men who, when they are asked for a loaf, give a stone.”

Men Giving He Man Duty Stones Refuse Tyranny Enjoyment Rebellion Rebel Tyrants Hateful Despotism Discharge Redress

Author:Wilfrid Laurier

About the Author

Born: November 20, 1841
Died: February 17, 1919
Known for: Former Prime Minister of Canada
Quotes: 21

Books & Sources

Wilfrid Laurier on the Platform: Collection of the Principal Speeches Made in Parliament Or Before the People, by the Honorable Wilfrid Laurier ... Member for Quebec-East in the Commons, Since His Entry Into Active Politics in 1871Related source material

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