Quotes from Eric Sevareid

The difference between the men and the boys in politics is, and always has been , that the boys want to be something, while the men want to do something.

Next to power without honor, the most dangerous thing in the world is power without humor.

Saints are usually killed by their own people.

Consultant: an ordinary guy more than 50 miles from home.

As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.

Never underestimate your listener's intelligence, or overestimate you listener's information.

My father wrote: 'I have been out into Dakota again. It is as green as a garden now, and everyone seems hopeful. The folks there are about the same.' The folks are about the same--and that is the basic fact and the wonderful hope.

The women did not express themselves with their own men, the vanquished, but gave themselves at once to the victors, whatever their nationality, no matter what they had done . . .

There was terror—but not panic. One could panic in his heart, but two together could not show it, nor a hundred in a group. They neutralize one another, and therein lies the thing that makes the British slightly different. They have laid manifold restraints upon themselves in their mutual intercourse. The British were still afraid of one another.

Dealing with network executives is like being nibbled to death by ducks.

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves.

The bigger the information media, the less courage and freedom they allow. Bigness means weakness.

The difference between the men and the boys in politics is, and always has been, that the boys want to be something, while the men want to do something.

Next to power without honor, the most dangerous thing in the world is power without humor.

Dealing with network executives is like being nibbled to death by ducks.

The true measure of effectiveness for the new Environmental Protection Agency will be how fast they put themselves out of business.

I have never quite grasped the worry about the power of the press. After all, it speaks with a thousand voices, in constant dissonance.

I'm sort of a pessimist about tomorrow and an optimist about the day after tomorrow.

Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt.

The most distinguished hallmark of the American society is and always has been change.

The chief cause of problems is solutions.

Wisdom is essential in a president, the appearance of wisdom will do in a candidate.

No man was ever more than about nine meals away from crime or suicide.

Men want power in order to do something. Boys want power in order to be something.