WIST

A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
Speech, West Chester, Pennsylvania (21 Oct 1964)

I think every good Christian ought to kick Falwell’s ass.

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
(Attributed)
when asked what he thought of Jerry Falwell's suggestion that every good Christian should be against Sandra Day O'Connor's nomination to the Supreme Court.

If I’m going to lose, it will be on my terms.

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
(Attributed)

You don’t need to be “straight” to fight and die for your country. You just need to shoot straight.

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
Washington Post, opinion piece (1993)

Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
Discussion with John Dean (Nov 1994)
Quoted in John Dean, Conservatives Without Conscience (2006). Full text.

I am a conservative Republican, but I believe in democracy and the separation of church and state. The conservative movement is founded on the simple tenet that people have the right to live life as they please, as long as they don’t hurt anyone else in the process.

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
Essay, Washington Post (13 Jul 1994)
Full text.

I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
GOP presidential nomination acceptance speech, San Francisco (16-Jul-1964)

Religious factions will go on imposing their will on others unless the decent people connected to them recognize that religion has no place in public policy. They must learn to make their views known without trying to make their views the only alternative.

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
Speech (1981)

By maintaining the separation of church and state, the United States has avoided the intolerance which has so divided the rest of the world with religious wars. … Can any of us refute the wisdom of Madison and the other framers? Can anyone look at the carnage in Iran, the bloodshed in Northern Ireland or the bombs bursting in Lebanon and yet question the dangers of injecting religious issues into the affairs of state?

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician
Speech, US Senate (15 Sep 1981)