A politics that is not sensitive to the concerns and circumstances of people's lives, a politics that does not speak to and include people, is an intellectually arrogant politics that deserves to fail.

— Paul Wellstone

Education and democracy have the same goal: the fullest possible development of human capabilities.

— Paul Wellstone

I don't think politics has anything to do with left, right, or center. It has to do with trying to do right by people.

— Paul Wellstone

I emphasize self-esteem, self-confidence, and dignity, not as an ideal, but as a real test of community organization. Without leadership development, community organizations do not have staying power.

— Paul Wellstone

If a teacher does not involve himself, his values, his commitments, in the course of discussion, why should the students?

— Paul Wellstone

If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them.

— Paul Wellstone

I saw as a teacher how, if you take that spark of learning that those children have, and you ignite it, you can take a child from any background to a lifetime of creativity and accomplishment.

— Paul Wellstone

Never separate the life you lead from the words you speak.

— Paul Wellstone

Politics is about the improvement of people's lives. It's about advancing the cause of peace and justice in our country and the world. Politics is about doing well for the people.

— Paul Wellstone

Politics is not about power.

— Paul Wellstone