Top 26 Quotes & Sayings by Sam Rayburn

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American politician Sam Rayburn.

Last updated on December 21, 2024.

Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn was an American politician who served as the 43rd speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He was a three-time House speaker, former House majority leader, two-time House minority leader, and a 24-term congressman, representing Texas's 4th congressional district as a Democrat from 1913 to 1961. He holds the record for the longest tenure as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, serving for over 17 years.

American - Politician | January 6, 1882 - November 16, 1961

Source: Wikipedia

I like power and I like to use it.

Sam Rayburn

No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut.

Sam Rayburn

If a man has common sense, he has all the sense there is.

Sam Rayburn

If you want to get along, go along.

Sam Rayburn

A damn independent boy; independent as a hog on ice.

Sam Rayburn

Son, always tell the truth. Then you'll never have to remember what you said the last time.

Sam Rayburn

Too many critics mistake the deliberations of the Congress for its decisions.

Sam Rayburn

Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one.

Sam Rayburn

You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.

Sam Rayburn

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

The real actor has a direct line to the collective heart.

Sam Rayburn

When you get too big a majority, you're immediately in trouble.'

Sam Rayburn

A jackass can kick a barn down, but it takes a carpenter to build one.

Sam Rayburn

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

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

Any man who will cheat for you will cheat against you.

Sam Rayburn

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

Let the other fellow get the headlines. I'll take the laws.

Sam Rayburn

There's no education in the second kick of a mule

Sam Rayburn

When you get too big a majority, you're immediately in trouble.

Sam Rayburn

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