Top 22 Quotes & Sayings by John Diefenbaker

I have an intensive hatred for discrimination based on colour.

I was criticized for being too much concerned with the average Canadians. I can't help that; I am one of them!

I am so excited about Canadians ruling the world.

One moment it's a cathedral, at another time there is no words to describe it when it ceases, for short periods of time, to have any regard for the proprieties that constitute not only Parliament, but its tradition. I've seen it in all its greatness. I have inwardly wept over it when it is degraded.

I have one love - Canada; one purpose - Canada's greatness; one aim - Canadian unity from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

What is the difference between a cactus and a conservative caucus? On a cactus, the pricks are on the outside.

There can be no dedication to Canada's future without a knowledge of its past.

You can't stand up for Canada with a banana for a backbone.

Freedom includes the right to say what others may object to and resent... The essence of citizenship is to be tolerant of strong and provocative words.

Some wonder why I have such a feeling of concern over the imposition of the death penalty. I ask those who wonder how would you feel if you defended a man charged with murder, who was as innocent as any hon. member in this House at this very moment, who was convicted; whose appeal was dismissed, who was executed; and six months later the star witness for the Crown admitted that he, himself, had committed the murder and blamed it on the accused? That experience will never be effaced from my memory.

In Pierre Trudeau, Canada has finally produced a Prime Minister worthy of assassination.

I'm disturbed because the doctors tell me I'm as sound as a dollar.

We must vigilantly stand on guard within our own borders for human rights and fundamental freedoms which are our proud heritage......w e cannot take for granted the continuance and maintenance of those rights and freedoms.

Everyone is against me - except the people!

I've lived history. I've made history, and I know I'll have my place in history. That's not egoism.

I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.

I am the first prime minister of this country of neither English nor French origin. So I determined to bring about a Canadian citizenship that knew no hyphenated consideration....I'm very happy to be able to say that in the House of Commons today in my party we have members of Italian, Dutch, German, Scandinavian, Chinese and Ukrainian origin and they are all Canadians.

When you come to Parliament on your first day, you wonder how you ever got here. After that, you wonder how the other 263 members got here.

Parliament is more than procedure - it is the custodian of the nation's freedom.

I have always been a House of Commons man.

I've got all of my enemies here in the Cabinet where I can keep an eye on them.

That one never asks a question unless he knows the answer is basic to parliamentary questioning.