I don't want to be married. I don't know - it sounds crazy, but in my mind, it's all connected. You get married, you have kids, you grow old, then you die. Somehow, it seems to me, if you didn't get married, you wouldn't die.
John BurnsIn this work I have received the opposition of a number of men who only advocate the unobtainable because the immediately possible is beyond their moral courage, administrative ability, and their political prescience.
John BurnsI am only doing now what I have ever done; and ever will continue to do - that is adapting past experience to present reform in the light of high ideals and future objects.
John BurnsI must firmly adhere to the views I have held and practice, that Socialism to succeed must be practical, tolerant, cohesive and consciously compromising with Progressive forces running, if not so far, in parallel lines towards its own goal.
John BurnsIndividual effort is almost relatively impossible to cope with the big problem of poverty as we see it.
John BurnsFor the moment and for some time great events have been denied me, forward action not come my way.
John BurnsThe men who made the war were profuse in their praises of the man who kicked the P.M. out of his office and now degrades by his disloyal, dishonest and lying presence the greatest office in the State.
John BurnsJudge men less by the labels they wear than by their persistent labour for sure if slow progress.
John BurnsI believe, however, that impending events will call us and we must respond but where, with whom, and how?
John BurnsYou come before me this morning with clean hands and clean collars. I want you to have clean tongues, clean manners, clean morals and clean characters.
John Burns