“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”

“Washingtonians love the "So-and-so is spinning in his grave" cliché. Someone is always speculating about how some great dead American would be scandalized over some crime against How It Used to Be. The Founding Fathers are always spinning in their graves over something, as is Ronald Reagan, or FDR. Edward R. Murrow is a perennial grave spinner in the news business (though in fact, Murrow was cremated).”

“A satellite has no conscience.”

“We cannot make good news out of bad practice.”

“Good night, and good luck.”

“The politician in my country seeks votes, affection and respect, in that order. With few notable exceptions, they are simply men who want to be loved.”

“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them.”

“We will not be driven by fear ... if we remember that we are not descended from fearful men.”

“Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions.”

“We are in the same tent as the clowns and the freaks-that's show business.”

“If we were to do the Second Coming of Christ in color for a full hour, there would be a considerable number of stations which would decline to carry it on the grounds that a Western or a quiz show would be more profitable.”