Ramsey Clark Quotes

Powerful Ramsey Clark for Daily Growth

About Ramsey Clark

Ramsey Clark (born January 19, 1927) is an American attorney, politician, and peace activist, best known for his service as the U.S. Attorney General from 1965 to 1969 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Born in Dallas, Texas, Clark grew up in a politically influential family; his father, Eugene C. Clark, served as Secretary of the Interior and Postmaster General under Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. Clark graduated from Harvard Law School in 1950 and was admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1951. After working in private practice for a few years, he joined the U.S. Department of Justice in 1961 as an assistant attorney general under his brother-in-law, Robert Kennedy, who served as Attorney General at that time. In 1965, Clark became Attorney General himself and played a significant role in implementing the Voting Rights Act, Civil Rights Act, and the Immigration and Nationality Service Act during his tenure. Post-government service, he was involved in numerous high-profile legal cases, including defending Nazi war criminal John Demjanjuk and representing the government of Iraq during the Gulf War. Throughout his career, Clark has been a strong advocate for peace and human rights. He co-founded the International Action Center, an organization dedicated to promoting social justice and opposing imperialism. Known for his outspoken criticism of U.S. foreign policy, Clark's influential works include "The Fire This Time: U.S. War Crimes in Iraq" (2003) and "Our Enemies In Blue: Police Violence in America" (2017). Clark continues to be a prominent figure in public life, using his legal expertise to challenge perceived injustices and uphold the principles of peace, justice, and equality.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"To kill without trial is not law enforcement; it's murder."

This quote emphasizes the fundamental importance of due process, the legal framework that protects individuals from arbitrary government actions, including punishment or death. In essence, the statement suggests that the act of taking a life without a fair trial is not justifiable under any system of law enforcement. Instead, it is considered an unlawful and criminal act - murder. This perspective underscores the necessity of upholding justice and respecting human rights in all actions taken by those tasked with maintaining law and order.


"War is a cruel and wasteful way to solve problems."

This quote by Ramsey Clark underscores the destructive nature and inefficiency of war as a means for resolving conflicts. It suggests that resorting to violence does not bring about sustainable solutions or promote societal progress, but instead inflicts harm, loss, and waste on both sides involved. The sentiment highlights the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful resolution methods over military intervention in addressing global disputes.


"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." (This quote was originally by Martin Luther King Jr., but Ramsey Clark often quoted it.)

This quote, attributed to both Martin Luther King Jr. and Ramsey Clark, emphasizes the interconnectedness of justice worldwide. It suggests that injustice occurring anywhere in the world poses a threat to justice everywhere because systems of oppression or inequality can spread and impact other regions if they remain unchecked. Therefore, it is essential for all individuals and communities to prioritize justice and work towards its global expansion to preserve peace and harmony.


"The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of treatment accorded to those who cannot defend themselves."

This quote by Ramsey Clark highlights the ethical standard of a society, suggesting that its true nature can be measured by how it treats those who are vulnerable or incapable of defending themselves. It underscores the importance of compassion, justice, and fairness towards marginalized or disadvantaged individuals in a society. By offering protection and support to these groups, we demonstrate our commitment to creating a truly moral and equitable world.


"Peace, in any lasting sense, can be achieved only through justice."

This quote suggests that sustainable peace is contingent upon a system of fairness and justice. Essentially, it posits that deep-rooted, long-lasting peace requires addressing the root causes of conflicts, such as inequality, injustice, and oppression. By establishing a just society where everyone's rights are respected, the potential for lasting peace can be achieved. This insight underscores the need to prioritize justice and fairness when striving for global peace and stability.


Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change.

- Ramsey Clark

Love, Change, Use, Turbulence

If Rosa Parks had not refused to move to the back of the bus, you and I might never have heard of Dr. Martin Luther King.

- Ramsey Clark

Bus, Move, Martin Luther, Luther

I didn't volunteer; they asked me. I felt a duty to testify.

- Ramsey Clark

Me, Volunteer, Asked, Testify

Our first concern is the security of the lawyers because without security you can't possibly have a fair trial, if trial at all, and that's not been adequately attended to.

- Ramsey Clark

Lawyers, Been, Attended, Possibly

A great many people in this country are worried about law-and-order. And a great many people are worried about justice. But one thing is certain; you cannot have either until you have both.

- Ramsey Clark

Country, One Thing, About, Worried

Who will protect the public when the police violate the law?

- Ramsey Clark

Law, Police, Public, Violate

There are few better measures of the concern a society has for its individual members and its own well being than the way it handles criminals.

- Ramsey Clark

Own, Individual, Being, Well Being

The greatest crime since World War II has been U.S. foreign policy.

- Ramsey Clark

War, Been, World War, World War II

Most faults are not in our Constitution, but in ourselves.

- Ramsey Clark

Constitution, Most, Our, Faults

The measure of your quality as a public person, as a citizen, is the gap between what you do and what you say.

- Ramsey Clark

Measure, Citizen, Public, Gap

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