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.

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.

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.

Every hour of useful work is precious.

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

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