Paul Harvey Quotes

Powerful Paul Harvey for Daily Growth

About Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey (1918-2009), an American broadcaster renowned for his unique storytelling style and profound quotes, was born on September 4, 1918, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Raised in Illinois, he developed a love for broadcasting while working as a news announcer at Woc-AM in Ottawa during high school. His professional career began in 1934 when he started working part-time at the same station. He joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and returned to journalism post-war, first at KRM-AM in San Antonio and later at WBBM-AM in Chicago. It was here where Harvey found his niche with a daily commentary program called "News and Comments." In 1951, he started "The Rest of the Story," a series that became one of his most famous segments. This segment featured historical anecdotes and lesser-known facts about well-known figures, interspersed with dramatic pauses and compelling storytelling. Harvey's career skyrocketed when ABC Radio network picked up "The Rest of the Story" in 1957, making him a household name across America. He continued to work for ABC until his retirement in 2008. Harvey's most famous quote, "And now, God be with you till we meet again," concluded each of his broadcasts and became synonymous with his distinctive voice and style. Throughout his life, Paul Harvey was influenced by his Christian faith, which often permeated his commentaries. He was a prolific author, penning several books, including "Living the Biblical Truth," "With God All Things Are Possible," and "The Rest of the Story." Harvey's impact on American broadcasting is immeasurable, and his quotes continue to be shared widely, reflecting his wisdom, humor, and ability to capture the essence of a story. Paul Harvey passed away in 2009 at the age of 90.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"And now, God is graduating a class from His university which He calls 'Overcomers.' These are people who have learned to live above their hurts, above their history, above their circumstances. They're not over it; they've gone over it."

This quote by Paul Harvey suggests that God is graduating a group of individuals whom he calls 'Overcomers.' These people have learned to rise above the negative effects of their personal hurts, past experiences, and challenging circumstances. Rather than being consumed or defined by these struggles, they have found a way to transcend them and live above them. The term 'overcoming' implies that they have not simply endured their hardships, but they have triumphed over them, demonstrating strength, resilience, and the ability to find joy even in difficult situations. This perspective can be inspiring as it emphasizes personal growth, perseverance, and the possibility of finding hope and peace despite life's adversities.


"In the Bible, God doesn't tell us what the storm will be, but he does tell us that when it comes, he will give us a way out..."

This quote suggests that life, like a storm, can bring challenges and difficulties, but it also implies that regardless of the nature of those hardships, we have the strength and guidance from within (represented by God) to navigate through them. In other words, even in the midst of adversity, we are not alone; we have an inner source (God) providing us with a path or solution to overcome our struggles.


"You can either control your attitudes or they will control you. It's your choice."

This quote emphasizes the importance of taking control over one's own emotions, thoughts, and perspectives - collectively known as attitudes. It suggests that we have the power to choose our reactions to situations rather than being dictated by them. In other words, instead of allowing our emotions or circumstances to rule us, we can consciously decide to maintain a positive and proactive attitude, ultimately shaping our experiences and personal growth.


"A man is what he is, and whole, only if his inner self is unfolded in external actions which are in harmony with his being."

This quote by Paul Harvey emphasizes the importance of authenticity and alignment between one's internal values, beliefs, and identity, and their outward actions and behavior. A person is considered 'whole' or genuinely self-realized when their external behaviors mirror their inner selves, reflecting a harmonious integration of thoughts, feelings, and actions. Essentially, it suggests that genuine personal growth comes from living in accordance with one's true character, values, and purpose.


"The greater the individual, the more he resembles everybody else."

This quote by Paul Harvey suggests that exceptional individuals are not defined by their uniqueness or individuality alone but also by their shared qualities with others. It means that while great people may possess extraordinary talents or characteristics, they remain human and share common traits with the rest of humanity. In essence, greatness does not negate sameness; rather, it is found in the application and manifestation of these shared human qualities at a heightened level.


Government has to be cut back like asparagus... every day... or it gets away and goes to seed. Ours did. When there's too much of it, the flower becomes a weed.

- Paul Harvey

Seed, Away, Cut, Weed

The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy, and a gentleman. And, of course, he'd have to be a genius... For he will have to feed a family on a policeman's salary.

- Paul Harvey

Tough Guy, Social, Minister, Policeman

What is a policeman made of? He, of all men, is once the most needed and the most unwanted. He's a strangely nameless creature who is 'Sir' to his face and 'Fuzz' to his back.

- Paul Harvey

Back, Made, Needed, Policeman

A policeman must know everything - and not tell. He must know where all the sin is and not partake.

- Paul Harvey

Know, Tell, Partake, Policeman

Ever occur to you why some of us can be this much concerned with animals suffering? Because government is not. Why not? Animals don't vote.

- Paul Harvey

Some, Concerned, Occur, Why Not

I've never seen a monument erected to a pessimist.

- Paul Harvey

Never, Pessimist, Seen, Monument

Cut out the free feed for the boss hogs at the public trough and the spill-over they've been leaving us. We'll manage.

- Paul Harvey

Boss, Been, Cut, Manage

Dependency arguments often come from elites - either aid agencies or governments - and say something about attitudes to poor people.

- Paul Harvey

Dependency, Attitudes, About, Elites

If there is a 50-50 chance that something can go wrong, then 9 times out of ten it will.

- Paul Harvey

Chance, Will, Times, 50-50

I was never one who sought to make the small man tall by cutting off the legs of a giant. I wanted to drag no man down to my size. Only to preserve a way of life which might make it possible for me, one day, to elevate myself until I at least partly matched his size.

- Paul Harvey

Small, One Day, Least, Drag

We were poor, but we didn't know it. There were no government bureaus in those days presuming to determine where poorness begins and ends, but I don't remember ever being hungry.

- Paul Harvey

Begins, Being, Determine, Presuming

Self-government won't work without self-discipline.

- Paul Harvey

Work, Without, Self-Government

One vote. That's a big weapon you have there, Mister. In 1948, just one additional vote in each precinct would have elected Dewey. In 1960, one vote in each precinct in Illinois would have elected Nixon. One vote.

- Paul Harvey

Big, Nixon, Additional, Mister

When your outgo exceeds your income, the upshot may be your downfall.

- Paul Harvey

Income, May, Your, Downfall

As industry's tycoons of the Thirties got their wings clipped, labor's leaders in the Eighties are getting their wings clipped. Not because of any class-related antagonism, but because any excess, ultimately, is its own undoing.

- Paul Harvey

Own, Antagonism, Industry, Thirties

In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.

- Paul Harvey

Time, Always, Times, Helps

When America's early pioneers first turned their eyes toward the West, they did not demand that somebody take care of them if they got ill or got old. They did not demand maximum pay for minimum work, and even pay for no work at all.

- Paul Harvey

Eyes, Turned, No Work, Early

Golf is a game in which you yell 'fore,' shoot six, and write down five.

- Paul Harvey

Sports, Golf, Which, Shoot

I am fiercely loyal to those willing to put their money where my mouth is.

- Paul Harvey

Money, Loyal, Willing, Fiercely

Every pessimist who ever lived has been buried in an unmarked grave. Tomorrow has always been better than today, and it always will be.

- Paul Harvey

Always, Been, Grave, Pessimist

Retiring is just practicing up to be dead. That doesn't take any practice.

- Paul Harvey

Practice, Practicing, Take, Retiring

Ever since I made tomorrow my favorite day, I've been uncomfortable looking back.

- Paul Harvey

Looking Back, Been, Made, Since

Now you know the rest of the story.

- Paul Harvey

Rest, Know, Now, Story

If 'pro' is the opposite of 'con' what is the opposite of 'progress'?

- Paul Harvey

Progress, Government, Con, Pro

Like what you do. If you don't like it, do something else.

- Paul Harvey

You, Like, Else, Something Else

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