William Lyon Mackenzie King Quotes

The anxiety of most parents in seeing their sons and daughters enlist does not lie only in the fear of the physical dangers they may encounter.

Self-denial and self-discipline, however, will be recognized as the outstanding qualities of a good soldier.

Until the control of the issue of currency and credit is restored to government and recognized as its most conspicuous and sacred responsibility, all talks of the sovereignty of Parliament and of democracy is idle and futile.

Just when we most need to be clearheaded, in order to face the hard facts before us, there is all too frequently a very real inclination to give way to dangerous tendencies merely as an escape from realities.

I would not wish to imply that most industrial accidents are due to intemperance. But, certainly, temperance has never failed to reduce their number.

I've always found that you can control people better if you don't see too much of them.

Usury once in control will wreck the nation.

The politician's promises of yesterday are the taxes of today.

Let it be remembered, too, that at a time of war, nearly every one is under great strain.

Far more has been accomplished for the welfare and progress of mankind by preventing bad actions than by doing good ones.

For one cause or another, it has become necessary to impose restrictions upon the use of many commodities, including not a few of the necessities of life.

Every hour of useful work is precious.

Once a nation parts with the control of its credit, it matters not who makes the laws.

A true man does not only stand up for himself, he stands up for those that do not have the ability to.

When it comes to politics, one has to do as one at sea with a sailing ship, reach one's course having regard to prevailing winds.

It is what we prevent, rather than what we do that counts most in Government.

I really believe my greatest service is in the many unwise steps I prevent.

Each year, therefore, a dollar spent on alcoholic beverages has purchased a smaller quantity.

When gasoline and rubber are rationed, electric power and transport facilities are becoming increasingly scarce, and manpower shortages are developing, it is difficult for people to understand their increased use for other than the most vital needs of war.

From the outset of the war, the Canadian people have clearly shown that it is their desire to help in every way to make Canadas war effort as effective as possible.

Fortunately, the Canadian people in all their habits, are essentially a temperate people.

Regardless of what one's attitude towards prohibition may be, temperance is something against which, at a time of war, no reasonable protest can be made.

I believed the people had a true instinct in most matters of government when left alone. That they were not swayed, as specially favoured individuals were, by personal interest, but rather by a sense of what best served the common good. That they recognized the truth when it was put before them, and that a leader can guide so long as he kept to the right lines. I did not think it was a mark of leadership to try to make the people do what one wanted them to do.

The people of Canada do not wish as a result of mass immigration to make a fundamental alteration in the character of our population. Large scale immigration from the Orient would change the fundamental composition of the Canadian population.

Nor do we begin to have a clear appreciation of what the increase in consumption of alcoholic beverages in wartime means in increased risk, and in loss of efficiency to the fighting and working forces of the country.

Workers in industry are the partners in war of the fighting forces.

Conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription.

Government, in the last analysis, is organized opinion. Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government.

Only the man who disciplines himself strictly can stand for long the terrific pace of modern war.