Jacob K. Javits Quotes

Powerful Jacob K. Javits for Daily Growth

About Jacob K. Javits

Jacob Kaplan Javits, born on February 9, 1904, in New York City, was an influential American politician and statesman, renowned for his advocacy in the areas of civil rights, arts, and international diplomacy. The son of Jewish immigrants from Russia, Javits grew up in a modest home in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He attended Columbia University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor's degree in 1924. After law school at New York University, he was admitted to the bar and began practicing law. In 1935, he married Esther Abramowitz, with whom he had three children. Javits' political career began in 1946 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat, representing New York City. He served four terms before running for Senate in 1956 as a Republican, winning the seat and serving until his retirement in 1981. Throughout his Senate career, Javits was a vocal proponent of civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He also played a significant role in the passage of the 25th Amendment, which deals with presidential succession and disability. In the realm of foreign policy, Javits was a strong supporter of Israel and a critic of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. He served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1977 to 1980. Jacob K. Javits passed away on January 5, 1986. His legacy continues to influence politics and policy-making, particularly in the areas of civil rights and foreign relations.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Freedom is the fundamental right upon which all others depend."

This quote by Jacob K. Javits emphasizes that freedom, in its broadest sense, serves as a foundational pillar for all other rights and privileges. The idea is that without the basic freedom, the exercise of other human rights, such as the right to speech, religion, or privacy, would not be possible. In essence, he posits that freedom is not just one right among many but rather an indispensable prerequisite for all other rights to flourish and be meaningful.

"To deny that democracy rests on inexact and imprecise majorities is to deny the very essence of democratic government."

This quote emphasizes the inherent nature of democratic systems, which depend on a degree of uncertainty and imperfection. The term "majority" in democracy doesn't always mean unanimous agreement, but rather the largest group that represents the will of the people at any given time. The imprecise or inexact nature of these majorities is an inherent part of democratic government, as it reflects the diverse and complex opinions of a society. It is important to recognize this characteristic to truly understand and appreciate the essence of democratic governance.

"The function of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there."

This quote by Jacob K. Javits underscores the importance of leaders as facilitators rather than creators of greatness. Instead of trying to instill greatness in others, a leader should inspire, encourage, and empower individuals to discover their inherent potential. The greatness within people is already present; it merely needs elicitation through effective leadership that fosters growth, self-discovery, and the realization of one's full potential.

"In our time, the challenge to freedom comes less from armed despotism than from unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats."

This quote suggests that in contemporary times, the primary threat to individual freedom and democracy doesn't originate from traditional forms of oppressive regimes with militaries, but rather from unelected, unaccountable bureaucratic institutions or organizations that wield significant power without being subject to democratic checks and balances. Javits is warning us about the potential for overreach by these entities, which may not be as visible or easily contested as a military junta or dictatorship.

"Patriotism is an affirmation of the virtues of one's country by a loyal opposition, not a blurring of issues by silence."

This quote by Jacob K. Javits emphasizes the importance of constructive dissent in the pursuit of patriotism. He suggests that genuine love for one's country isn't about blindly supporting it or avoiding controversy, but rather, it lies in openly discussing and affirming its values through opposition to its mistakes or flaws. In other words, he encourages a healthy balance between loyalty and criticism, implying that silence on important issues can lead to the dilution of national ideals.

'Business,' properly understood, is so central to every aspect of our civilization that Republicans should proudly announce that they are indeed 'the party of business.'

- Jacob K. Javits

Business, Civilization, Indeed

When scrutiny is lacking, tyranny, corruption and man's baser qualities have a better chance of entering into the public business of any government.

- Jacob K. Javits

Business, Chance, Tyranny, Lacking

I remember my own life as a small boy, son of Jewish immigrants, in a janitor's flat on Orchard and Stanton streets on the Lower East Side of New York City. My father made pants and doubled as janitor of a tenement - before he made janitoring at $30 a month, plus rooms, a career.

- Jacob K. Javits

Small, I Remember, Rooms, Orchard

Politicians are probably the most underrated people in our society.

- Jacob K. Javits

Society, Politicians, Most, Underrated

Birth and death are the most singular events we experience - and the contemplation of death, as of birth, should be a thing of beauty, not ignobility.

- Jacob K. Javits

Beauty, Death, Most, Singular

I'm a politician. What I say is not holy writ.

- Jacob K. Javits

Politician, Say, Holy, Writ

You must remember, my own philosophy is that you don't belong only to yourself. You have an obligation to the society which protected you when you were brought into the world, which taught you, which supported you and nurtured you. You have an obligation to repay it.

- Jacob K. Javits

Belong, Which, Brought, Repay

My thinking is Lincolnian rather than Jeffersonian, Teddy Rooseveltian rather than Franklin D. Rooseveltian.

- Jacob K. Javits

Rather, Than, Franklin, Teddy

It must be understood that, as adults, we are all terminal.

- Jacob K. Javits

Understood, Must, Terminal

There is no office now closed to a Jew, including the presidency.

- Jacob K. Javits

Now, Presidency, Including, Closed

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