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William E. Simon

William E. Simon Quotes

Former United States Secretary of the Treasury

William E. Simon was an American politician and businessman who served as the United States Secretary of the Treasury. He held the position in the early 1970s, during which time he promoted tax reform and the liberalization of financial markets. Simon also had a significant career in business, serving as the CEO of Lehman Brothers.

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All Ifs Liberty Economic Economics Government Libertarian People Absolutes Contradiction Important

Famous William E. Simon Quotes

“Achievers must not be penalized or parasites rewarded if we aspire to a healthy, productive, and ethical society.”

Ifs Healthy Productive Ethical Aspire Parasites Achiever

Author:William E. Simon

“If you really want to help the poor, help the rich. They're the ones who will invest, build more factories, create more jobs.”

Ifs Want Helping Jobs Poor Rich Factories Help The Poor

Author:William E. Simon

“Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote.”

People Political Politics Politician Vote Voting Good People Inspirational Voting

Author:William E. Simon

“If you would not confront your neighbor and demand his money at the point of a gun to solve every new problem that may appear in your life, you should not allow the government to do it for you.”

Ifs Should May Problem Government Liberty Demand Gun Economics Solve Libertarian Neighbor Libertarianism

Author:William E. Simon

“The fact throughout history is that whenever government dominates the economic affairs of its citizenry, a free society is eroded, then destroyed, and a minority government ensues. Personal liberty without economic liberty is an absolute contradiction; the one cannot exist without the other.”

Facts Government Liberty Economic Economics Absolutes Affair Libertarian Destroyed Contradiction Minorities Libertarianism Free Society Citizenry Personal Liberty Minority Government

Author:William E. Simon

“Freedom is strangely ephemeral. It is something like breathing; one only becomes acutely aware of its importance when one is choking.”

Love Freedom Importance Breathing Choke Ephemeral

Book:Time for Truth

Source: Time for Truth

“Infinitely more important than sharing one's material wealth is sharing the wealth of ourselves-our time and energy, our passion and commitment, and, above all, our love.”

Important Passion Energy Wealth Materials Commitment Generosity Our Time Our Love Time And Energy Material Wealth

Author:William E. Simon

“Is it not strange that the descendants of those Pilgrim Fathers who crossed the Atlantic to preserve their own freedom of opinion have always proved themselves intolerant of the spiritual liberty of others?”

Spiritual Father Liberty Opinion Strange Preserves Pilgrim Descendants

Author:William E. Simon

“Productivity and the growth of productivity must be the first economic consideration at all times, not the last. That is the source of technological innovation, jobs, and wealth.”

Firsts Jobs Lasts Growth Wealth Economic Source Innovation Productivity All Time Consideration Technological

Book:Time for Truth

Source: Time for Truth

“I continue to believe that the American people have a love-hate relationship with inflation. They hate inflation but love everything that causes it.”

People Believe Hate Causes Inflation Love Hate Hate People Love Hate Relationship Love And Hate Relationship

Author:William E. Simon

“The advantage of the cauliflower is that if all else fails, you can always cover it with melted cheese and eat it.”

Ifs Failing Advantage Cheese Cauliflower

Book:A Time for Reflection: An Autobiography

Source: A Time for Reflection: An Autobiography

“The nation ought to have a tax system which looks like someone designed it on purpose.”

Looks Political Purpose Nations Ought Taxes National Debt Tax System

Author:William E. Simon

“Friedmans influence reaches far beyond the academic community and the world of economics. Rather than lock himself in an ivory tower, he has joined the fray to fight for the survival of this great country of ours.”

World Country Fighting Community Influence Survival Economics Academic Locks Towers Ivory Great Country Fray Ivory Tower

Author:William E. Simon

“Personal liberty without economic liberty is an absolute contradiction; the one cannot exist without the other.”

Liberty Economic Absolutes Libertarian Contradiction Personal Liberty Minority Government

Author:William E. Simon

“The American citizen must be made aware that today a relatively small group of people is proclaiming its purposes to be the will of the People. That elitist approach to government must be repudiated.”

People Made Government Today Purpose Groups Citizens Approach American Citizens Small Groups Elitist Proclaiming

Book:Time for Truth

Source: Time for Truth

“Writing checks for charities is necessary and important. But it can't compare with corporal works of mercy, which are infinitely greater.”

Writing Important Greater Mercy Charity Checks Compare

Author:William E. Simon

About the Author

Born: November 27, 1927
Died: June 3, 2000
Known for: Former United States Secretary of the Treasury
Quotes: 16

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Ifs Liberty Economic Economics Government Libertarian People Absolutes Contradiction Important

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People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Time for TruthRelated source material

A Time for Reflection: An AutobiographyRelated source material

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