Theodore White Quotes

Powerful Theodore White for Daily Growth

About Theodore White

Theodore H. White (1915-1986) was an acclaimed American journalist, author, and historian, best known for his extensive coverage of U.S. presidential elections and the Vietnam War. Born on June 27, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York, White demonstrated a keen interest in current events from an early age. He attended Yale University, where he graduated with honors in 1936. White's journalistic career began at Time magazine in 1940, where he honed his skills covering the World War II battlefront and the Nuremberg Trials. In 1948, he switched to Life magazine, which allowed him greater freedom to explore political reporting. White's seminal work, "The Making of the President 1960," was born out of this period. The book provided an insightful analysis of John F. Kennedy's election victory and set a new standard for campaign journalism. White continued to produce influential works throughout his career, including "The Making of the President 1964" and "Vietnam: The History of an Unwinnable War." His groundbreaking reporting style combined in-depth research, personal observations, and interviews with key figures to create a vivid and compelling narrative. White's work was greatly influenced by his belief in democracy and the importance of informed citizenship. He spent extensive periods living in Asia during the Vietnam War, gaining unique insights into the complexities of the conflict. His writings on the war are considered some of the most honest and unbiased accounts ever produced. Theodore White passed away on December 29, 1986, leaving behind a rich legacy of journalistic excellence and historical insight. His works continue to be relevant and influential today, providing valuable insights into American politics and history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The United States which had once been a city upon a hill now seemed a series of caves."

This quote by Theodore White suggests a decline in the perceived moral and cultural leadership of the United States, likening the country to a series of isolated and hidden spaces (caves) rather than a shining beacon or example to the world (a city on a hill). It implies a shift away from the nation's historic role as an inspiration for democracy, freedom, and progress towards a period of internal fragmentation and introspection.

"Bureaus make policy like sausages; it is better not to see their making."

This quote by Theodore White suggests that the creation or formulation of policies within bureaucratic institutions can be messy, complex, and often involve compromises and conflicts behind the scenes that may not align with public perceptions or ideals. Just as one might not want to witness the process of making sausages due to its potentially unsavory nature, it's sometimes best for people to remain unaware of the intricate workings and compromises involved in policy-making within bureaucracies.

"Americans have always made a great deal out of the American Dream, but the dream is ambiguous. It isn't a dream of motor cars and brightly wrapped gifts under a tree at Christmas time; it is a dream of social justice, of equality for all before the law."

Theodore White highlights that the "American Dream" transcends material wealth and consumerism; rather, it symbolizes the pursuit of social justice and equality for all citizens under the law. This interpretation suggests that true prosperity in America lies not just in owning cars or receiving gifts, but in the establishment and upholding of a fair and just society where everyone is treated equally regardless of their race, gender, religion, or socio-economic status.

"Politics is the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible."

This quote by Theodore White emphasizes the transformative power of political leadership and the strategic skill set required to bring about change in seemingly insurmountable circumstances. It suggests that the realm of politics involves finding creative solutions and navigating complex systems to transform ideas, ideals, or situations that are generally perceived as impossible into achievable realities. This quote underscores the importance of perseverance, determination, and strategic thinking in the political sphere.

"The American people have spoken. The implication is that they are not very happy and their government will reflect this mood."

This quote suggests that when the public expresses their dissatisfaction through voting, it indicates a general discontent with the current state of their government. The government must respond by acknowledging this "mood" and making changes to address the concerns and needs of its citizens.

When the bus or the plane rolled or flew through the night, they sang songs of their own composition about Mr Nixon and the Republicans in chorus with the Kennedy staff and felt that they, too, were marching like soldiers of the Lord to the New Frontier.

- Theodore White

Bus, Through, Plane, Marching

I happen to think that American politics is one of the noblest arts of mankind; and I cannot do anything else but write about it.

- Theodore White

Politics, Think, Happen, Noblest

His passion has aroused the best and the beast in man. And the beast waited for him in the kitchen.

- Theodore White

Best, His, Aroused, Waited

Generally students are the best vehicles for passing on ideas, for their thoughts are plastic and can be molded and they can adjust the ideas of old men to the shape of reality as they find it in villages and hills of China or in ghettos and suburbs of America.

- Theodore White

Thoughts, Shape, Suburbs, Hills

A liberal is a person who believes that water can be made to run uphill. A conservative is someone who believes everybody should pay for his water. I'm somewhere in between: I believe water should be free, but that water flows downhill.

- Theodore White

Conservative, Pay, Everybody, Downhill

Those 40 or 50 national correspondents who had followed Kennedy since the beginning of his electoral exertions into the November days had become more than a press corps - they had become his friends and, some of them, his most devoted admirers.

- Theodore White

Beginning, Some, November, Admirers

There is no excitement anywhere in the world, short of war, to match the excitement of the American presidential campaign.

- Theodore White

Short, World, Match, Presidential

The best time to listen to a politician is when he's on a stump on a street corner in the rain late at night when he's exhausted. Then he doesn't lie.

- Theodore White

Rain, Night, Politician, Street Corner

Quality in a classical Greek sense is how to live with grace and intelligence, with bravery and mercy.

- Theodore White

How, Greek, Classical, Mercy

There are two kinds of editors, those who correct your copy and those who say it's wonderful.

- Theodore White

Say, Correct, Kinds, Editors

Politics in America is the binding secular religion.

- Theodore White

Politics, America, Secular, Binding

For those men who, sooner or later, are lucky enough to break away from the pack, the most intoxicating moment comes when they cease being bodies in other men's command and find that they control their own time, when they learn their own voice and authority.

- Theodore White

Voice, Lucky, Other, Command

The flood of money that gushes into politics today is a pollution of democracy.

- Theodore White

Today, Money, Politics, Flood

When a reporter sits down at the typewriter, he's nobody's friend.

- Theodore White

Friend, Nobody, Reporter, Typewriter

With the end of the nominating process, American politics leaves logic behind.

- Theodore White

Politics, Process, Behind, Logic

I class myself as a manual laborer.

- Theodore White

Myself, Class, Laborer, Manual

When that book came out, it was like Columbus telling about America at the court of Ferdinand and Isabella.

- Theodore White

Like, Telling, Ferdinand, Court

I'd get into a room and disappear into the woodwork. Now the rooms are so crowded with reporters getting behind-the-scenes stories that nobody can get behind-the-scenes stories.

- Theodore White

Stories, Rooms, Reporters, Crowded

If you make a living, if you earn your own money, you're free - however free one can be on this planet.

- Theodore White

Money, Living, However, Earn

He who is created by television can be destroyed by television.

- Theodore White

Television, He, Created, Destroyed

Power in America today is control of the means of communication.

- Theodore White

Today, Power, Means, Control

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