Sam Rayburn Professions : Former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Born : January 6, 1882 Died : November 16, 1961 Browse All Authors Top 28 quotes by Sam Rayburn No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut. Sam Rayburn communication inspirational book Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one. Sam Rayburn jackasses barns carpenter The real actor has a direct line to the collective heart. Sam Rayburn acting real heart When the concept of Social Security came before the House, every Republican but one voted against it. Had it not been for the Democrats, Social Security would never have passed, and our older people would not have this great support that our people provide. It has been my experience that Democrats generally vote to protect the people, while Republicans seem to try to protect the interests of big business. Sam Rayburn support political people Readiness for opportunity makes for success. Opportunity often comes by accident; readiness never does. Sam Rayburn readiness doe opportunity In my many years as a Representative in Congress it is my observation that the district that is best represented is the district that is wise enough to select a man of energy, intelligence, and integrity and reelects him year after year. A man of this type and character serves more efficiently and effectively the longer he is returned by his people. Sam Rayburn wise integrity character I will not deny that there are men in the district better qualified than I to go to Congress, but gentlemen, these men are not in the race. Sam Rayburn political race men Poverty only tries men's souls. It is loneliness that breaks the heart. Sam Rayburn loneliness heart men Don't try to go too fast. Learn your job. Don't ever talk until you know what you're talking about... If you want to get along, go along. Sam Rayburn trying talking jobs There are no degrees in honorableness. You either are or you aren't. Sam Rayburn degrees Let the other fellow get the headlines. I'll take the laws. Sam Rayburn headlines fellows law There's no education in the second kick of a mule Sam Rayburn mules kicks Any man who will cheat for you will cheat against you. Sam Rayburn cheat men They may be just as intelligent as you say. But I'd feel a helluva lot better if just one of them had ever run for sheriff. Sam Rayburn political intelligent running When you get too big a majority, you're immediately in trouble. Sam Rayburn majority politics political Don't ever talk until you know what you're talking about... Sam Rayburn knows talking If you want to get along, go along. Sam Rayburn ifs action want A damn independent boy; independent as a hog on ice. Sam Rayburn hockey independent boys If a man has common sense, he has all the sense there is. Sam Rayburn common-sense inspirational men You'll never get mixed up if you simply tell the truth. Then you don't have to remember what you have said, and you never forget what you have said. Sam Rayburn never-forget telling-the-truth remember
