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William Safire

William Safire Quotes

Author

William Safire, born on December 17, 1929, was an accomplished American author, journalist, and political commentator. Known for his incisive political commentary and distinctive writing style, he won the Pulitzer Prize. Safire had a rich political background, serving as a speechwriter for President Nixon, which had a profound impact on his later work.

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Famous William Safire Quotes

“I want my questions answered by an alert and experienced politician, prepared to be grilled and quoted -- not my hand held by an old smoothie.”

Want Hands Politician Prepared Smoothies

Author:William Safire

“Give your main clause a little space. Prose is not like boxing; the skilled writer deliberately telegraphs his punch, knowing that the reader wants to take the message directly on the chin.”

Want Giving Littles Space Knowing Reader Messages Boxing Prose Chins Clauses Telegraph

Book:Fumblerules: a lighthearted guide to grammar and good usage

Source: Fumblerules: a lighthearted guide to grammar and good usage

“You don't want lopsided government. You don't want one side running roughshod over the other.”

Want Government Running Sides

Author:William Safire

“If you want to "get in touch with your feelings," fine, talk to yourself. We all do. But if you want to communicate with another thinking human being, get in touch with your thoughts. Put them in order, give them a purpose, use them to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce. The secret way to do this is to write it down, and then cut out the confusing parts.”

Ifs Thinking Way Want Giving Writing Humans Use Feelings Purpose Order Human Beings Secret Cutting Fine Down And Communicate Confusing Seducing

Author:William Safire

About the Author

Born: December 17, 1929
Died: September 27, 2009
Known for: Author
Quotes: 94

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Books & Sources

On languageRelated source material

Fumblerules: a lighthearted guide to grammar and good usageRelated source material

Coming to termsRelated source material

You could look it up: more on languageRelated source material

Language Maven Strikes AgainRelated source material

Quoth the Maven: More on Language from William SafireRelated source material

Safire's Political DictionaryRelated source material

Scandalmonger: A NovelRelated source material

Spread the WordRelated source material

Watching My Language:: Adventures in the Word TradeRelated source material

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