Boies Penrose was a man of sharp wit and deep wisdom. A lawyer, politician, and historian, his words carry weight even today. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, a fresh perspective, or just a good laugh, his quotes deliver. Here’s a collection of his best sayings—timeless, thought-provoking, and full of truth.
Wisdom and Life Lessons from Boies Penrose
Boies Penrose had a knack for cutting through the noise. His words remind us what really matters.
🔹 “The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.”
🔹 “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it, and then misapplying the wrong remedies.”
🔹 “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
🔹 “Common sense is not so common.”
🔹 “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Ever felt stuck? His advice is simple: “Do something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn’t, do something else.”
On Politics and Power
Penrose knew politics inside out. His observations are still relevant today.
🔹 “In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.”
🔹 “The first duty of a politician is to get elected. The second is to stay elected.”
🔹 “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
🔹 “The difference between a politician and a statesman is that a politician thinks of the next election, while a statesman thinks of the next generation.”
Think about it—how often do leaders act for the long term?
Humor and Sharp Observations
Penrose had a dry sense of humor. His wit makes even serious topics entertaining.
🔹 “An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday didn’t happen today.”
🔹 “A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age.”
🔹 “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”
🔹 “The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you’ve got it made.”
Ever met someone who fits these descriptions? 😆
On Success and Failure
Penrose didn’t sugarcoat things. His take on success is refreshingly honest.
🔹 “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”
🔹 “The road to success is always under construction.”
🔹 “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
🔹 “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
Failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the journey.
Leadership and Responsibility
Great leaders take responsibility. Penrose’s words remind us what true leadership looks like.
🔹 “A leader is a dealer in hope.”
🔹 “The price of greatness is responsibility.”
🔹 “You can’t lead anyone if you can’t lead yourself.”
🔹 “The best leaders are those most interested in surrounding themselves with assistants smarter than they are.”
Would you follow a leader who doesn’t take responsibility?
Final Thoughts
Boies Penrose’s quotes are packed with wisdom, humor, and truth. They make you think, laugh, and sometimes question everything.
Which quote resonates with you the most? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️
Want more timeless wisdom? Check out our other quote collections. 📖