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William Lyon Mackenzie King Quotes

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About William Lyon Mackenzie King

William Lyon Mackenzie King (1874-1950), a prominent Canadian politician, served as the Prime Minister of Canada longer than any other individual, holding office from 1921 to 1930 and again from 1935 to 1948. Born in Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario, King was the son of Scottish immigrants. He grew up in a home immersed in intellectual discussions, instilling in him an early love for literature and politics. King's political journey began as a member of the Liberal Party, where he rose through the ranks to become its leader in 1919. His first term as Prime Minister saw the establishment of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) and the beginning of Old Age Pensions. After losing the election in 1930, King returned to private life but quickly re-entered politics following the Great Depression. During his second term, King led Canada through World War II, maintaining strong relationships with both Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Significant achievements during this period include the creation of the Canada Pension Plan (1957, posthumously implemented) and the National Health Services Act (1946). King's personal life was marked by an unusual relationship with his housekeeper, Ishbel Ross, which lasted for over 30 years. He was known for his introverted nature, deep spiritual beliefs, and extensive diaries that provide valuable insight into Canadian political history. King's legacy is one of a dedicated public servant who championed the welfare of the Canadian people and contributed significantly to shaping modern Canada.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I am more driven by the fear of doing nothing than the desire for doing something."

This quote by William Lyon Mackenzie King emphasizes the motivational force that fear of inaction can have on a person, often exceeding the drive stemming from ambition or enthusiasm to act. It suggests that the fear of missing out on opportunities or not making progress can be a powerful catalyst for taking action and accomplishing goals.

"We can't solve difficulties until we know what the difficulties are."

This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding and identifying the root causes or challenges before attempting to find solutions. In other words, one cannot effectively address a problem without first knowing what it is and where it originates. Insightfully, King suggests that ignorance about difficulties will inevitably hinder any meaningful progress towards resolving them.

"The best way to ensure that people believe a lie is to mix with it a little bit of truth."

This quote by William Lyon Mackenzie King suggests that a effective strategy for propagating a lie or misinformation is to incorporate elements of truth within it. By doing so, the lie gains credibility and becomes more convincing, making it easier for people to believe the falsehood as a whole. This highlights the importance of scrutinizing information, especially when some parts appear truthful, in order to discern fact from fiction.

"Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success."

This quote emphasizes the importance of three key elements in achieving success: patience, persistence, and hard work (perspiration). Patience means being willing to wait for results and understanding that progress may not happen immediately. Persistence is about maintaining determination and continuing efforts despite challenges or setbacks. Lastly, perspiration refers to putting in the necessary effort, indicating that hard work is a vital part of achieving success. Essentially, King suggests that these three qualities combined create an unstoppable formula for reaching one's goals.

"I don't want to just be remembered as the guy who was Prime Minister for twenty years; I want to be remembered as the guy who did his best to help the people of Canada."

This quote by William Lyon Mackenzie King underscores his commitment to public service above personal recognition. He desired not just to be celebrated for his tenure as Prime Minister, but rather for his impact on the lives of Canadians through his efforts to help them. This reflects a selfless and compassionate leader who valued improving society over personal accolades or political longevity.

Few would venture to deny the advantages of temperance in increasing the efficiency of a nation at war.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Efficiency, Advantages, Deny, Venture

If I am outspoken of the dangers of intemperance to members of our armed forces, it is because we are all especially concerned for the welfare of those who are risking their lives in the cause of freedom.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Concerned, Cause, Dangers, Risking

Self-denial and self-discipline, however, will be recognized as the outstanding qualities of a good soldier.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Will, Outstanding, However, Self-Denial

Until the control of the issue of currency and credit is restored to government and recognized as its most conspicuous and sacred responsibility, all talks of the sovereignty of Parliament and of democracy is idle and futile.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Idle, Futile, Issue, Sovereignty

I really believe my greatest service is in the many unwise steps I prevent.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Service, Believe, Prevent, Unwise

Since the outbreak of war, there has been in our country a steady increase in the consumption of spirits, wine and beer. It is estimated that in dollar volume, the annual outlay is now practically double what it was before the war.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Country, Been, Before, Consumption

Nor do we begin to have a clear appreciation of what the increase in consumption of alcoholic beverages in wartime means in increased risk, and in loss of efficiency to the fighting and working forces of the country.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Efficiency, Country, Means, Consumption

Only the man who disciplines himself strictly can stand for long the terrific pace of modern war.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

War, Pace, Strictly, Modern War

Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government, which sooner or later becomes autocratic government.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Bad, Which, Likely, Autocratic

Regardless of what one's attitude towards prohibition may be, temperance is something against which, at a time of war, no reasonable protest can be made.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Against, May, Which, Prohibition

When gasoline and rubber are rationed, electric power and transport facilities are becoming increasingly scarce, and manpower shortages are developing, it is difficult for people to understand their increased use for other than the most vital needs of war.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Other, Increasingly, Shortages

On behalf of the federal government, I wish now publicly to appeal to the provinces to lend their co-operation in furthering our country's war effort by effecting at as early a date as may be possible this much needed restriction.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Country, Date, Needed, Co-Operation

No one will deny that the excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic beverages would do more than any other single factor to make impossible a total war effort.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Alcohol, Other, Deny, Factor

Fortunately, the Canadian people in all their habits, are essentially a temperate people.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Habits, Canadian, Temperate

Far more has been accomplished for the welfare and progress of mankind by preventing bad actions than by doing good ones.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Doing, Mankind, Been, Doing Good

The greatly increased consumption of alcoholic beverages is very largely a direct result of the increased purchasing power created by wartime expenditures.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Purchasing, Very, Increased, Wartime

Just when we most need to be clearheaded, in order to face the hard facts before us, there is all too frequently a very real inclination to give way to dangerous tendencies merely as an escape from realities.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Before, Very, Frequently, Order

The anxiety of most parents in seeing their sons and daughters enlist does not lie only in the fear of the physical dangers they may encounter.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Lie, May, Dangers, Encounter

Temperance is essential, if the services of men and women are to be employed to the best and most useful effect according, to the physical capacity and ability of each. Nothing less will assure a total effort.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Best, Effort, According, Women Are

Each year, therefore, a dollar spent on alcoholic beverages has purchased a smaller quantity.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Year, Quantity, Smaller, Purchased

As to the advantages of temperance in the training of the armed forces and of its benefits to the members of the forces themselves, there can be no doubt in the world.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

World, Benefits, Advantages, Members

The increased consumption of alcoholic beverages in Canada since the outbreak of war is one evidence of this.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Canada, Evidence, Increased, Consumption

Once a nation parts with the control of its credit, it matters not who makes the laws.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Matters, Laws, Once, Credit

Every hour of useful work is precious.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Work, Precious, Hour, Useful

Workers in industry are the partners in war of the fighting forces.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

War, Industry, Forces, Partners

In the twelve months immediately preceding the outbreak; of war, the quantity of spirits, both domestic and imported released for sale in Canada, amounted to over three and a half million proof gallons.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Quantity, Over, Months, Sale

For one cause or another, it has become necessary to impose restrictions upon the use of many commodities, including not a few of the necessities of life.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Use, Including, Necessities, Commodities

There can be little doubt that absence from work, and inefficient work, are frequently due to intemperance.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Work, Absence, Due, Inefficient

I would not wish to imply that most industrial accidents are due to intemperance. But, certainly, temperance has never failed to reduce their number.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

Reduce, Certainly, Imply, Accidents

If the military might of Germany and Japan are ultimately to be crushed, the United Nations, one and all, must definitely and urgently strive toward a total war effort.

- William Lyon Mackenzie King

United Nations, Might, Japan, Crushed

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