Sam Rayburn Quotations

A jackass can kick a barn down, but it takes a carpenter to build one

You'll never get mixed up if you simply tell the truth. Then you don't have to remember what you have said, and you never forget what you have said.

No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut.

Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one.

If a man has common sense, he has all the sense there is.

You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.

Too many critics mistake the deliberations of the Congress for its decisions.

When you get too big a majority, you're immediately in trouble.

A damn independent boy; independent as a hog on ice.

If you want to get along, go along.

Son, always tell the truth. Then you'll never have to remember what you said the last time.

I like power and I like to use it.

The real actor has a direct line to the collective heart.

We always end up having a good rotation. We make sure we keep fresh legs on the field. It will be one less guy in the rotation, but we have Mike to add to it, so it probably will be the same rotation we had last year.

(My parents) were supposed to fly here this afternoon and they couldn't get to the airport.

It feels great (to play). Better than sitting at home watching it in my basement.

When you love the game you love to get as much playing time as you can. I'll take all they'll give to me.

Any jackass can kick a barn down, but it takes a carpenter to build it.

It's just T.O. being T.O. It's just him talking.

It?s not much different. It?s still the same personality. We?re still blue-collar guys. It?s just one less soldier out there.

It's like when you know something bad is coming. You know it's coming, so you brace for it. But then when it comes, it's still somehow worse than you expected.

It's been more disappointing than frustrating. To make sure I'm back in playing shape was one of my goals for the preseason, and being injured, I haven't been able to do that.

Dont try to go too fast. Learn your job. Dont ever talk until you know what youre talking about. If you want to get along, go along.

In my many years as a Representative in Congress it is my observation that the district that is best represented is the district that is wise enough to select a man of energy, intelligence, and integrity and reelects him year after year. A man of this type and character serves more efficiently and effectively the longer he is returned by his people.

Poverty only tries men's souls. It is loneliness that breaks the heart.

Any man who will cheat for you will cheat against you.

Readiness for opportunity makes for success. Opportunity often comes by accident; readiness never does.

There's no education in the second kick of a mule

Let the other fellow get the headlines. I'll take the laws.

There are no degrees in honorableness. You either are or you aren't.

When the concept of Social Security came before the House, every Republican but one voted against it. Had it not been for the Democrats, Social Security would never have passed, and our older people would not have this great support that our people provide. It has been my experience that Democrats generally vote to protect the people, while Republicans seem to try to protect the interests of big business.

They may be just as intelligent as you say. But I'd feel a helluva lot better if just one of them had ever run for sheriff.

Don't ever talk until you know what you are talking about.

I will not deny that there are men in the district better qualified than I to go to Congress, but gentlemen, these men are not in the race.

Son, if you can't take their money, drink their whiskey, screw their women, and then vote against 'em, you don't deserve to be here.