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William Jennings Bryan Quotes

Former United States Secretary of State

William Jennings Bryan, born on March 19, 1860, and died on July 26, 1925, was a prominent American politician, lawyer, orator, and writer. He was known for his active participation in political and religious affairs and left a profound mark on American history.

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Famous William Jennings Bryan Quotes

“A man who murders another shortens by a few brief years the life of a human being; but he who votes to increase the burden of debts upon the people of the United States assumes a graver responsibility.”

People Men Years Humans States Human Beings United Responsibility United States Vote Increase Murder Assuming Burden Debt

Book:The Life and Speeches of Hon. Wm. Jennings Bryan

Source: The Life and Speeches of Hon. Wm. Jennings Bryan

“The poor man who takes property by force is called a thief, but the creditor who can by legislation make a debtor pay a dollar twice as large as he borrowed is lauded as the friend of a sound currency. The man who wants the people to destroy the Government is an anarchist, but the man who wants the Government to destroy the people is a patriot.”

Source: The First Battle: A Story of the Campaign of 1896

“This nation is able to legislate for its own people on every question, without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation on earth.”

People Able Earth Nations Waiting Aids Consent

Author:William Jennings Bryan

“A corporation has no rights except those given it by law. It can exercise no power except that conferred upon it by the people through legislation, and the people should be as free to withhold as to give, public interest and not private advantage being the end in view.”

People Giving Should Ends Law Given Interest Views Rights Exercise Advantage Corporations Legislation Public Interest

Author:William Jennings Bryan

“My place in history will depend on what I can do for the people and not on what the people can do for me.”

People I Can Can Do Depends Bryan

Author:William Jennings Bryan

“There can be no settlement of a great cause without discussion, and people will not discuss a cause until their attention is drawn to it.”

People Causes Attention Discussion Settlement

Book:The world's most famous court trial: State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes; complete stenographic report of the court test of the Tennessee anti-evolution act at Dayton, July 10 to 21, 1925, including speeches and arguments of attorneys

Source: The world's most famous court trial: State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes; complete stenographic report of the court test of the Tennessee anti-evolution act at Dayton, July 10 to 21, 1925, including speeches and arguments of attorneys

“The first objection to Darwinism is that it is only a guess and was never anything more. It is called a "hypothesis," but the word "hypothesis," though euphonious, dignified and high-sounding, is merely a scientific synonym for the old-fashioned word "guess." If Darwin had advanced his views as a guess they would not have survived for a year, but they have floated for half a century, buoyed up by the inflated word "hypothesis." When it is understood that "hypothesis" means "guess," people will inspect it more carefully before accepting it.”

“The people of Nebraska are for free silver and I am for free silver. I will look up the arguments later.”

People Looks Political Politics Argument Look Up Silver Nebraska

Book:William Jennings Bryan: Selections

Source: William Jennings Bryan: Selections

“I can not wish you success in your effort to reject the treaty because while it may win the fight it may destroy our cause. My plan cannot fail if the people are with us and we ought not to succeed unless we do have the people with us.”

People Ifs May I Can Fighting Winning Wish Causes Effort Plans Failing Ought Succeed Rejects Can Not Wish You Treaties

Author:William Jennings Bryan

“Two people in a conversation amount to four people talking. The four are what one person says, what he really wanted to say, what his listener heard, and what he thought he heard.”

People Persons Two Wanted Talking Four Heard Amount Conversation Listeners People Talking

Author:William Jennings Bryan