Ken Starr Quotes

Powerful Ken Starr for Daily Growth

About Ken Starr

Kenneth Winston "Ken" Starr (born August 21, 1946) is an American lawyer, author, and former government official who served as the Solicitor General of the United States from 1989 to 1993 and as the independent counsel (1994–1999) during the Whitewater controversy. His life and career have been marked by legal service, political controversy, and prolific writing. Born in Vermillion, South Dakota, Starr grew up in California and attended both Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He started his career as a law clerk for Judge David W. Doty and Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun. In 1973, he joined the Office of the Solicitor General under President Richard Nixon and later served during President Jimmy Carter's administration. In 1988, Starr was appointed Solicitor General by President Ronald Reagan, a role in which he defended U.S. laws and policies before the Supreme Court. After leaving the government, Starr became Dean of Pepperdine University School of Law and later President of Baylor University. Starr's most notable work came during his tenure as independent counsel under President Bill Clinton. In 1994, Starr was appointed to investigate Whitewater, a real estate investment by the Clintons in the 1970s. This investigation eventually led to the impeachment of President Clinton in 1998, although he was not removed from office. Starr is also an accomplished author, with numerous books to his name. His works cover a wide range of topics, including legal ethics, American history, and biblical scholarship. Among his most notable works are "The Truth Matters: A Citizen's Guide to the Rule of Law" (2018) and "Contemporary Issues in American Constitutional Law" (with Robert H. Bork). Starr continues to be active in legal circles, teaching at Baylor University and serving as a distinguished visiting professor at Hillsdale College. His life and career have been marked by a commitment to the rule of law and a deep respect for constitutional principles.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The truth is a marvelous and powerful thing. It has a momentum all its own."

The quote emphasizes the inherent power and self-propelling nature of truth. It suggests that once the truth is revealed, it tends to spread and become influential on its own accord, due to its honesty, validity, and impact. This perspective underscores the importance of seeking the truth and emphasizing its value in our interactions and decision-making processes.


"The Constitution is a remarkable document that provides a framework for a nation of laws, not a government of men."

The quote emphasizes that the U.S. Constitution is designed to establish a legal system rather than relying on the personal whims or decisions of individuals in power. It underscores the idea that the law should govern the nation, ensuring fairness, consistency, and protection for all citizens, not just those who hold positions of authority. This principle is fundamental to maintaining a democratic society where the rule of law prevails over the rule of men.


"Integrity is the soul of character."

Ken Starr's quote, "Integrity is the soul of character," highlights the indispensable role that integrity plays in shaping a person's moral core. Essentially, it suggests that without integrity - the unwavering adherence to strong ethical principles and honesty - a person's character would be hollow or incomplete. In other words, true character is built upon a foundation of integrity, which serves as the guiding light for making right decisions and upholding moral values, even when faced with challenging circumstances.


"The rule of law means more than just the absence of arbitrary power. It requires a government that acts within its competence, pursuant to clear and specific laws, with due process for all citizens, and equal protection under the law."

Ken Starr's quote underscores the principles of governance that guarantee fairness, equality, and transparency in a society ruled by law. The rule of law, as described here, extends beyond mere absence of arbitrary power; it demands a government that operates within its legal boundaries, enacting clear and specific laws. Due process is essential, ensuring all citizens are treated fairly during legal proceedings, while equal protection under the law guarantees that every individual receives equal treatment under the law without discrimination. This quote emphasizes the importance of upholding these ideals to maintain a just and orderly society.


"Justice is not about vengeance, it's about finding the truth and ensuring accountability."

Ken Starr's quote emphasizes that justice is rooted in uncovering the truth and maintaining accountability rather than seeking revenge. This perspective highlights the significance of impartiality, integrity, and due process in the pursuit of justice, ensuring fairness and upholding a civilized society where wrongdoings are addressed constructively instead of being fueled by emotional retaliation.


Don't blame the messenger because the message is unpleasant.

- Ken Starr

Blame, Because, Unpleasant, Messenger

There is no excuse for perjury - never, never, never. There is truth, and the truth demands respect.

- Ken Starr

Truth, Never, Excuse, Perjury

After an extensive investigation, the office produced a report that addressed the many questions that confronted the difficult issues, it laid out new evidence, and it reached a definitive conclusion.

- Ken Starr

New, Evidence, Laid, Extensive

I don't believe anyone has leaked grand jury information.

- Ken Starr

Jury, Grand Jury, Anyone, Leaked

The values of confidentiality of matters occurring before the grand jury is very important.

- Ken Starr

Important, Jury, Very, Grand Jury

Lawyers claim that their clients have been grossly mistreated, which is what criminal defense lawyers are paid to do.

- Ken Starr

Lawyers, Been, Which, Mistreated

You're making me feel like a skunk at the garden party.

- Ken Starr

Me, Making, Like, Garden

I had loans in law school.

- Ken Starr

School, Law, Loans, Law School

I was assigned to do a job by the attorney general, and that was to find out whether crimes were committed.

- Ken Starr

Find, Committed, General, Attorney

Lying under oath, and encouraging lies under oath, does go to the very heart and soul of what courts do. If we say we don't care, let's forget about courts, and we'll just have other ways of figuring out how to handle disputes.

- Ken Starr

Soul, Other, Very, Disputes

In contrast to what most prosecutors do, we try to treat all individuals with complete fairness. We do not go out and hold press conferences and the like.

- Ken Starr

Treat, Fairness, Like, Conferences

I thought we were to discuss a referral which we believe contains substantial and credible information of potential impeachable offenses by the President of the United States.

- Ken Starr

United, United States, Which, Discuss

When we had highly sensitive information, the DNA on the dress, that was held within our office and the FBI. There was no dissemination of that information.

- Ken Starr

Dress, Within, Held, Highly

Whether the story reflects the facts is obviously a different matter.

- Ken Starr

Matter, Whether, Obviously, Reflects

As you may know, I'm a native Texan. In fact I'm a fifth generation Texan.

- Ken Starr

Generation, Fact, May, Fifth

We were criticized throughout that investigation for being too thorough, for taking too long. But time has proved the correctness of that approach.

- Ken Starr

Approach, Being, Correctness, Thorough

I said in sharp language that that practice was wrong.

- Ken Starr

Practice, Language, Said, Sharp

I think the President inspires tremendous affection and loyalty by a wide range of people.

- Ken Starr

Think, I Think, Wide Range, Affection

I do not speak frequently or otherwise to the press.

- Ken Starr

Speak, Otherwise, Frequently, Press

Higher educating has so many challenges, and private higher education has a special challenge of ever rising tuition costs.

- Ken Starr

Education, Private, Costs, Higher

The whole idea of equal justice under law means that you've got to play by the rules. It has nothing to do with the underlying subject matter. You just tell the truth.

- Ken Starr

Law, Play, Means, Underlying

In law, one's sense of calling or vocation will lead one to be interested in certain dimensions of Constitutional law.

- Ken Starr

Law, Will, Vocation, Calling

We were in Little Rock. We were assessing a very important issue. In the midst of our discussions, we were receiving urgent inquiries from The Washington Post asking about interviews.

- Ken Starr

Asking, Very, Issue, Receiving

Government lawyers have a duty to disclose evidence of wrongdoing in the government.

- Ken Starr

Government, Lawyers, Duty, Disclose

We must combat misinformation that is being spread.

- Ken Starr

Must, Combat, Being, Misinformation

I was privileged to serve as a judge.

- Ken Starr

Serve, Privileged, Judge

I am not here to accuse the media of anything.

- Ken Starr

I Am, Media, Here, Accuse

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