John T. Flynn Quotes

Powerful John T. Flynn for Daily Growth

About John T. Flynn

John T. Flynn (1891-1957), an influential American journalist, author, and political commentator, was born on September 30, 1891, in San Francisco, California. His early years were marked by the economic tumult of the late 19th century, which significantly impacted his later views on economics and politics. Flynn attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in English. He then pursued further studies at Columbia University, but did not complete his Master's program. His education, however, was enriched by influential thinkers such as Thorstein Veblen and John Dewey. Flynn began his career as a journalist with the San Francisco Bulletin in 1915, covering World War I. His investigative reporting led him to uncover corruption within the U.S. military. This experience instilled in him a deep-seated suspicion of power and an commitment to exposing abuse. In the 1930s, Flynn joined the American Mercury magazine as a writer and editor. Here, he gained prominence with his scathing criticisms of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies. His book, "As We Go Marching," published in 1944, was a highly influential critique of FDR's administration. Flynn was also an early and vocal opponent of U.S. involvement in World War II. His book, "See These Russians," published in 1945, argued that Stalinist Russia was not the threat to Western democracy that many believed it to be. John T. Flynn passed away on June 27, 1957, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to influence political discourse today. His key works include "The Roosevelt Myth" (1948), "Born Free and Equal: The Story of Leland Stanford Junior University" (1949), and "The Great Fear: The Anti-Communist Purge of the State Department" (1952). Flynn's life and works remain a testament to his commitment to truth, justice, and the protection of individual freedom.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to err."

This quote by John T. Flynn emphasizes that true freedom encompasses not only the ability to make choices, but also the liberty to make mistakes. It suggests that the essence of freedom lies in its potential to encourage individual growth and learning from experiences, even when those experiences may result in errors or missteps. In essence, this quote underscores the importance of embracing personal responsibility as a fundamental aspect of freedom.

"The American system has been infiltrated by those who would destroy it from within."

This quote by John T. Flynn suggests a deeply held concern that the structures and principles of American democracy are being undermined by individuals or groups with an intent to dismantle the system from within its own institutions and power structures. It implies a danger from internal threats, rather than external ones, who may be working against the core values and integrity of the nation for their own purposes.

"The history of liberty is a history of resistance."

The quote by John T. Flynn, "The history of liberty is a history of resistance," underscores that the preservation and advancement of freedom has consistently required defiance against oppressive forces throughout history. It suggests that for any society to maintain its liberties, citizens must not shy away from challenging authoritarianism or tyranny, regardless of the challenges they may face in doing so. Essentially, it encapsulates the idea that liberty is never won without resistance and struggle.

"Capitalism without democracy is merely the rule of the rich over the poor."

This quote emphasizes that capitalism, an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, should not exist in isolation but within the framework of democracy. In essence, it's a warning against a system where wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few (the rich) without the checks and balances provided by a democratic system. This can lead to exploitation and power imbalances between the wealthy and less fortunate members of society. Democracy ensures that all voices are heard, and power is distributed fairly, which in turn promotes economic justice and equality under capitalism.

"There is no such thing as a free lunch, and there is no such thing as a free government."

The quote emphasizes that nothing in life comes without cost or consequences, including government services. It suggests that the notion of a "free lunch" (or "free government") is an illusion, as someone always bears the costs – either through direct payment, taxes, or future obligations. This idea encourages individuals to consider the real and often hidden costs associated with government actions and policies.

The real peril of war lies not in military defeat. It lies in war itself, whether we win or lose.

- John T. Flynn

Defeat, Itself, Whether, Win Or Lose

We seem to be a long way off from the kind of Fascism which we behold in Italy today, but we are not so far from the kind of Fascism which Mussolini preached in Italy before he assumed power, and we are slowly approaching the conditions which made Fascism there possible.

- John T. Flynn

Before, Approaching, Behold

This most dangerous enemy is the American counterpart of the British Fabian Socialist, who denies that he is a Socialist and operates behind a mask which he calls National Planning.

- John T. Flynn

Behind, Socialist, Which, Counterpart

We must rid this nation of the United Nations, which provides the communist conspiracy with a headquarters here on our own shores, and which actually makes it impossible for the United States to form its own decisions about its conduct and policies in Europe and Asia.

- John T. Flynn

Nation, Here, Communist, Headquarters

The CIO put up half a million dollars for Roosevelt's 1936 campaign and provided him with an immense group of active labor workers who played a large part in the sweeping victory he won at the polls.

- John T. Flynn

Part, Half, Provided, Immense

The Communists were interested in getting into key positions as union officers, statisticians, economists, etc., in order to utilize the apparatus of the unions to promote the cause of revolution.

- John T. Flynn

Unions, Cause, Apparatus, Communists

But among them now were a large number of Communists in positions of great power within the new union movement, some of them actually moving close to the center of power. This was the crack in the wall through which they entered. Their power was to grow and prosper.

- John T. Flynn

Through, Some, Great Power, Communists

Fascism will come at the hands of perfectly authentic Americans.

- John T. Flynn

Hands, Will, Perfectly, Fascism

These code authorities could regulate production, quantities, qualities, prices, distribution methods, etc., under the supervision of the NRA. This was fascism.

- John T. Flynn

Production, Could, Code, Fascism

But Fascism cannot continue in a modified form.

- John T. Flynn

Continue, Cannot, Form, Fascism

Fascism is not the result of dictatorship.

- John T. Flynn

Result, Dictatorship, Fascism

All that is needed to set us definitely on the road to a Fascist society is war. It will of course be a modified form of Fascism at first.

- John T. Flynn

Will, Needed, Set, Fascism

The only result of our present system - unless we reverse the drift - must be the gradual extension of the fascist sector and the gradual disappearance of the system of free enterprise under a free representative government.

- John T. Flynn

Gradual, Extension, Drift

But no one can praise Roosevelt for doing this and then insist that he restored our traditional political and economic systems to their former vitality.

- John T. Flynn

Political, Doing, Roosevelt, Restored

I think we have to be fair in saying at this point that neither Roosevelt nor Lewis realized the peril to which they were exposing both the unions and the country.

- John T. Flynn

Think, Country, Which, Lewis

At the end of all this, Russia held in her hands a vast belt of land running from the Baltic sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south, comprising eleven nations with a population of 100 million people.

- John T. Flynn

Hands, Held, South, Baltic

Most people in this country believe that the American Communist Party and its dupes are the chief internal enemy of our economic system and our form of government. This is a serious mistake.

- John T. Flynn

Mistake, Country, Communist, Communist Party

But as we shall see, Roosevelt, through a combination of events and influences, fell deeper and deeper into the toils of various revolutionary operators, not because he was interested in revolution but because he was interested in votes.

- John T. Flynn

Through, Shall, Roosevelt, Toils

The NRA provided that in America each industry should be organized into a federally supervised trade association. It was not called a corporative. It was called a Code Authority.

- John T. Flynn

Association, Code, Provided, Organized

They do not say Roosevelt saved our system. They say he has given us a new one. That is logical.

- John T. Flynn

New, Saved, Given, They Say

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.