22+ John Burns Quotes On Education, Government And Friendship

John Burns was an English activist and trade unionist who was a key figure in the founding of the Labour Party. He was a leader of the Social Democratic Federation, the first Marxist political party in Britain, and was a Member of Parliament for Battersea from 1892 to 1918. He was a strong advocate for the rights of working people and a leading figure in the fight for universal suffrage. Following is our collection on famous quotes by John Burns on leadership, education, government.

Top 10 John Burns Quotes

1. The Thames is liquid history.
2. I neither drink nor smoke, because my schoolmaster impressed upon me three cardinal virtues; cleanliness in person, cleanliness in mind; temperance.
3. Books are a real solace, friendships are good but action is better than all.
4. Why four great powers should fight over Serbia no fellow can understand.
5. I recognise that Socialism has ended its purely theoretical course, and that the hour to construct has come.
6. Judge men less by the labels they wear than by their persistent labour for sure if slow progress.
7. I am depressed rather at the wave of brutality sweeping over the country.
8. The Gentlemen of England serve under the greatest cad in Europe.
9. Don't hustle old people.
10. I am only doing now what I have ever done; and ever will continue to do - that is adapting past experience to present reform in the light of high ideals and future objects.

John Burns Short Quotes

• I don't want boys to use their pencils for improper writing.
• I am not ashamed to say that I am the son of a washerwoman.
• For the moment and for some time great events have been denied me, forward action not come my way.
• My duty is clear and at all costs will be done.

John Burns Famous Quotes And Sayings

You come before me this morning with clean hands and clean collars. I want you to have clean tongues, clean manners, clean morals and clean characters. — John Burns

Individual effort is almost relatively impossible to cope with the big problem of poverty as we see it. — John Burns

In this work I have received the opposition of a number of men who only advocate the unobtainable because the immediately possible is beyond their moral courage, administrative ability, and their political prescience. — John Burns

I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is not in their power to help themselves. — John Burns

I must firmly adhere to the views I have held and practice, that Socialism to succeed must be practical, tolerant, cohesive and consciously compromising with Progressive forces running, if not so far, in parallel lines towards its own goal. — John Burns

I don't want to be married. I don't know - it sounds crazy, but in my mind, it's all connected. You get married, you have kids, you grow old, then you die. Somehow, it seems to me, if you didn't get married, you wouldn't die. — John Burns

The men who made the war were profuse in their praises of the man who kicked the P.M. out of his office and now degrades by his disloyal, dishonest and lying presence the greatest office in the State. — John Burns

I believe, however, that impending events will call us and we must respond but where, with whom, and how? — John Burns

Life Lessons by John Burns

1. John Burns demonstrated the power of peaceful protest and civil disobedience to effect social change. He showed that it is possible to bring about positive change through the power of collective action and solidarity.
2. He was an advocate for the working class and championed the cause of the poor and disadvantaged. He showed that it is possible to stand up for the rights of the oppressed and to fight for social justice.
3. He also showed that it is possible to work within the system to bring about reform and that it is possible to work with people from all backgrounds and beliefs to create a better society.