Would that the simple maxim that honesty is the best policy might be laid to heart that a sense of the true aim of life might elevate the tone of politics and trade till public and private honor become identical.

Religion has to stay in the heart not in politics. It is private.

I don't want to spend the rest of my life in politics. When I'm finished with my term as governor I'm going back to the life that's waiting for me in the private sector.

The most important political office is that of the private citizen.

Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

I published privately a collection of my serious poetry I had written over the years. I only published 50 copies which I gave to friends in a special deluxe edition. It was ridiculously expensive but I'm glad that I did it.

Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It's that time of night lying in bed thinking what you really think making the private world public that's what the poet does.

Poetry is the one place where people can speak their original human mind. It is the outlet for people to say in public what is known in private.

I think there's not much patience for organized labour period public or private sector.

I think politicians get hamstrung by the nature of politics when the private sector can really do great things.