William Lyon Mackenzie King Quotes

“Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government, which sooner or later becomes autocratic government.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Only the man who disciplines himself strictly can stand for long the terrific pace of modern war.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Far more has been accomplished for the welfare and progress of mankind by preventing bad actions than by doing good ones.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Temperance is essential, if the services of men and women are to be employed to the best and most useful effect according, to the physical capacity and ability of each. Nothing less will assure a total effort.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Since the outbreak of war, there has been in our country a steady increase in the consumption of spirits, wine and beer. It is estimated that in dollar volume, the annual outlay is now practically double what it was before the war.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

Until the control of the issue of currency and credit is restored to government and recognized as its most conspicuous and sacred responsibility, all talks of the sovereignty of Parliament and of democracy is idle and futile.

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

Once a nation parts with the control of its credit, it matters not who makes the laws.

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

Self-denial and self-discipline, however, will be recognized as the outstanding qualities of a good soldier.

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

The anxiety of most parents in seeing their sons and daughters enlist does not lie only in the fear of the physical dangers they may encounter.

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Regardless of what one's attitude towards prohibition may be, temperance is something against which, at a time of war, no reasonable protest can be made.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Just when we most need to be clearheaded, in order to face the hard facts before us, there is all too frequently a very real inclination to give way to dangerous tendencies merely as an escape from realities.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“The greatly increased consumption of alcoholic beverages is very largely a direct result of the increased purchasing power created by wartime expenditures.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“On behalf of the federal government, I wish now publicly to appeal to the provinces to lend their co-operation in furthering our country's war effort by effecting at as early a date as may be possible this much needed restriction.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“From the outset of the war, the Canadian people have clearly shown that it is their desire to help in every way to make Canada's war effort as effective as possible.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Let it be remembered, too, that at a time of war, nearly every one is under great strain.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“There can be little doubt that absence from work, and inefficient work, are frequently due to intemperance.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“I would not wish to imply that most industrial accidents are due to intemperance. But, certainly, temperance has never failed to reduce their number.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Every hour of useful work is precious.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“In the twelve months immediately preceding the outbreak; of war, the quantity of spirits, both domestic and imported released for sale in Canada, amounted to over three and a half million proof gallons.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“I really believe my greatest service is in the many unwise steps I prevent.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“If the military might of Germany and Japan are ultimately to be crushed, the United Nations, one and all, must definitely and urgently strive toward a total war effort.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Workers in industry are the partners in war of the fighting forces.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

No one will deny that the excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic beverages would do more than any other single factor to make impossible a total war effort.

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Usury once in control will wreck the nation.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“If I am outspoken of the dangers of intemperance to members of our armed forces, it is because we are all especially concerned for the welfare of those who are risking their lives in the cause of freedom.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“It is what we prevent, rather than what we do that counts most in Government.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Nor do we begin to have a clear appreciation of what the increase in consumption of alcoholic beverages in wartime means in increased risk, and in loss of efficiency to the fighting and working forces of the country.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

When gasoline and rubber are rationed, electric power and transport facilities are becoming increasingly scarce, and manpower shortages are developing, it is difficult for people to understand their increased use for other than the most vital needs of war.

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“As to the advantages of temperance in the training of the armed forces and of its benefits to the members of the forces themselves, there can be no doubt in the world.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“The increased consumption of alcoholic beverages in Canada since the outbreak of war is one evidence of this.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Few would venture to deny the advantages of temperance in increasing the efficiency of a nation at war.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Fortunately, the Canadian people in all their habits, are essentially a temperate people.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“For one cause or another, it has become necessary to impose restrictions upon the use of many commodities, including not a few of the necessities of life.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“Each year, therefore, a dollar spent on alcoholic beverages has purchased a smaller quantity.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“A true man does not only stand up for himself, he stands up for those that do not have the ability to.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“I believed the people had a true instinct in most matters of government when left alone. That they were not swayed, as specially favoured individuals were, by personal interest, but rather by a sense of what best served the common good. That they recognized the truth when it was put before them, and that a leader can guide so long as he kept to the right lines. I did not think it was a mark of leadership to try to make the people do what one wanted them to do.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“When it comes to politics, one has to do as one at sea with a sailing ship, reach one's course having regard to prevailing winds.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“The people of Canada do not wish as a result of mass immigration to make a fundamental alteration in the character of our population. Large scale immigration from the Orient would change the fundamental composition of the Canadian population.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King

“I've always found that you can control people better if you don't see too much of them.”

— William Lyon Mackenzie King