Boston Quote by William F. Buckley, Jr
“I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Harvard Faculty vs. Boston Phone Book" in National Review, 1972
Criticizes academic elite by comparing them unfavorably to ordinary citizens
In simple terms: Academics are seen as out of touch
Question authority and expertise
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Political commentary
- education policy debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you trust experts over laypeople?
- What are the risks of dismissing expertise?
Oversimplifies complex expertise; may be hyperbolic