Top 27 Quotes & Sayings by Richard J. Daley

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American politician Richard J. Daley.

Last updated on April 14, 2025.

Richard Joseph Daley was an American politician who served as the Mayor of Chicago from 1955 and the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party Central Committee from 1953 until his death. He has been called "the last of the big city bosses" who controlled and mobilized American cities. Daley was Chicago's third consecutive mayor from the working-class, heavily Irish-American South Side neighborhood of Bridgeport, where he lived his entire life. He was the patriarch of the Daley family, whose members include Richard M. Daley, another former mayor of Chicago; William M. Daley, a former United States Secretary of Commerce; John P. Daley, a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and Patrick Daley Thompson, a former alderman of the Chicago City Council.

American - Politician | May 15, 1902 - December 20, 1976

Source: Wikipedia

We have to face it: in America today the way to have fun and celebrate is to break a store window and take something. That's the way it is, today in America, and we have to accept it.

Richard J. Daley

What is inherently wrong with the word 'politician' if the fellow has devoted his life to holding public office and trying to do something for his people?

Richard J. Daley

They have vilified me, they have crucified me; yes, they have even criticized me.

Richard J. Daley

The policeman isn't there to create disorder; the policeman is there to preserve disorder.

Richard J. Daley

Television and radio do a wonderful job in focusing attention on the problems of our society.

Richard J. Daley

Look at our Lords disciples. One denied Him; one doubted Him; one betrayed Him. If our Lord couldn't have perfection, how are you going to have it in city government?

Richard J. Daley

I'm not the last of the old bosses. I'm the first of the new leaders.

Richard J. Daley

A newspaper is the lowest thing there is.

Richard J. Daley

We as Democrats have no apologies to make to anyone.

Richard J. Daley

We all like to hear a man speak out on his convictions and principles. But at the same time, you must understand that when you're running on a ticket, you're running with a team.

Richard J. Daley

Don't worry if they're Democrats or Republicans. Give them service and they'll become Democrats.

Richard J. Daley

No poll can equal the day-to-day visits of the men and women of the Democratic Party.

Richard J. Daley

Even the Lord had skeptical members of His party.

Richard J. Daley

Good government is good politics.

Richard J. Daley

The police are not here to create disorder, they're here to preserve disorder.

Richard J. Daley

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

Richard J. Daley

The strength of the Democratic Party of Cook County is not something that just happened.

Richard J. Daley

Power is dangerous unless you have humility.

Richard J. Daley

We are proud to have with us the poet lariat of Chicago.

Richard J. Daley

The Democratic Party is the party that opened its arms. We opened them to every nationality, every creed. We opened them to the immigrants. The Democratic Party is the party of the people.

Richard J. Daley

They have vilified me, they have crucified me - yes, they have even criticized me!

Richard J. Daley

Gentlemen, let's get the thing straight once and for all. The policeman isn't there to create disorder. The policeman is there to preserve disorder.

Richard J. Daley

If a man can't put his arms around his sons and help them, then what's the world coming to?

Richard J. Daley

The confrontation was not created by the police; the confrontation was created by the people who charged the police. Gentlemen, let's get the thing straight, once and for all. The policeman isn't there to create disorder; the policeman is there to preserve disorder.

Richard J. Daley

Return to the fundamentals of politics - sell our story door to door.

Richard J. Daley

We have to face it: in America today the way to have fun and celebrate is to break a store window and take something. That's the way it is, today in America, and we have to accept it

Richard J. Daley

If a man's handshake is no good all the {legal} paper in the world won't make it good.

Richard J. Daley

Top 27 Quotes & Sayings by Richard J. Daley

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