Boake Carter was a pioneering radio commentator known for his sharp wit and bold opinions. His quotes still resonate today, offering wisdom on politics, life, and human nature. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or a fresh perspective, his words pack a punch.
Here’s a collection of his best quotes—timeless, thought-provoking, and full of character.
Boake Carter on Politics and Society
Boake Carter didn’t shy away from tough topics. His views on government and society were direct and unapologetic.
🔹 “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”
🔹 “A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.”
🔹 “Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.”
🔹 “The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.”
🔹 “The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.”
Ever notice how some political debates go in circles? Carter’s words remind us that not much has changed.
Boake Carter on Life and Human Nature
His observations about people were just as sharp. He had a knack for cutting through nonsense.
🔹 “Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.”
🔹 “The man who agrees with everybody is not worth having anybody agree with him.”
🔹 “Most of us spend the first six days of the week sowing wild oats, then we go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure.”
🔹 “The only thing some people do is grow older.”
🔹 “A bore is a man who, when you ask him how he is, tells you.”
Sound familiar? Human nature hasn’t evolved much.
Boake Carter on Success and Hard Work
Carter believed in effort over luck. His take on success was no-nonsense.
🔹 “Opportunity knocks once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.”
🔹 “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
🔹 “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.”
🔹 “The road to success is always under construction.”
🔹 “You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.”
Ever met someone who talks big but does little? Carter saw right through that.
Boake Carter on Truth and Honesty
He valued truth, even when it was uncomfortable.
🔹 “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
🔹 “Honesty is the best policy—but insanity is a better defense.”
🔹 “The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”
🔹 “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.”
🔹 “A half-truth is a whole lie.”
Why do lies spread faster than truth? Carter nailed it decades ago.
Boake Carter on Media and Public Opinion
As a radio personality, he knew how media shaped minds.
🔹 “News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.”
🔹 “Public opinion is a weak tyrant compared with our own private opinion.”
🔹 “The press is like the air, a chartered libertine.”
🔹 “Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.”
🔹 “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you do read it, you’re misinformed.”
Sound like today’s media landscape? Some things never change.
Final Thoughts
Boake Carter’s quotes are as relevant now as they were in his time. Whether he was talking about politics, human nature, or success, he had a way of saying what others only thought.
Which quote hit home for you? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear your take! 🚀
