Jim Leach

If you read literature, you put yourself in somebody else's shoes. You learn from great figures in literature.

— Jim Leach

America is very decentralized in how it supports the humanities, unlike European countries where virtually everything stems from the central government.

— Jim Leach

America somehow thinks that leadership relates to governance, and it certainly does. But society is much bigger than governance, and some of…

— Jim Leach

Our culture is more shaped by the arts and humanities than it often is by politics.

— Jim Leach

A government of, by and for the people is obligated to conduct the nation's business in a manner that respects dissent.

— Jim Leach

Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts.

— Jim Leach

I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars.

— Jim Leach

Civility is not simply about manners.

— Jim Leach

I think America is going to have to think through whether it wants to uplift the political dialogue or advance an approach…

— Jim Leach

No activity I know is more of a confidence builder and at the same time more 'humility training' than wrestling.

— Jim Leach

Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.

— Jim Leach

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.

— Jim Leach

The arts and humanities are vastly more important in troubled times.

— Jim Leach

There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism.

— Jim Leach

It is hard to cement any relations with any country based on promises that may not be deliverable.

— Jim Leach

History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward.

— Jim Leach

The majority of U.S. high school students don't know within 50 years when the Civil War occurred.

— Jim Leach

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives.

— Jim Leach

The hallmark of our times is change and acceleration, but we have to provide the history.

— Jim Leach

There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.

— Jim Leach