William Safire
William Safire
William Lewis Safire was an American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth17 December 1929
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
humility willing humility-and-modesty
Nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected.
impossible articulation rescue
When articulation is impossible, gesticulation comes to the rescue.
unique elements flavor
Adjective salad is delicious, with each element contributing its individual and unique flavor; but a puree of adjective soup tastes yecchy.
integrity mean liberty
The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.
latin government office
The Latin motto over Poindexter's new Pentagon office reads Scientia Est Potentia - "knowledge is power." Exactly: the government's infinite knowledge about you is its power over you.
opinion definite
Have a definite opinion.
office firsts first-lady
The first ladyship is the only federal office in which the holder can neither be fired nor impeached.
tired needs nuance
Sometimes I know the meaning of a word but am tired of it and feel the need for an unfamiliar, especially precise or poetic term, perhaps one with a nuance that flatters my readership's exquisite sensitivity.
lasts cliche plague
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.
truth obviousness peer-pressure
Never assume the obvious is true.
president unions carter
Carter is the best President the Soviet Union ever had.
size language fit
English is a stretch language; one size fits all.
knees jerk
Better to be a jerk that knees than a knee that jerks.
ambition ideas boredom
To 'know your place' is a good idea in politics. That is not to say 'stay in your place' or 'hang on to your place', because ambition or boredom may dictate upward or downward mobility, but a sense of place - a feel for one's own position in the control room-is useful in gauging what you should try to do.