A Certain Idea of America Quotes

“I think the great requirement of this moment, in the second year of the Trump era, is, Don’t lose your composure. Don’t let it rob you of your peace.”
― Peggy Noonan, A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings

“My fear with Mr. Musk is that if a scientific paper came out saying eating baby parts will add half a century to your life, he’d tweet, We can grow the babies in discarded ship containers and eat them—for the squeamish, God didn’t make them, I did, so there’s no soul or anything.”
― Peggy Noonan, A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings

“this is what happens when savages hold the day:”
― Peggy Noonan, A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings

“Don’t lose your composure. Don’t let it rob you of your peace. Maintain your poise. Don’t let the history around you destabilize you. Don’t become sour. Keep on your game, maintain your own standards.”
― Peggy Noonan, A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings

“Every school has a library. Every library has books. That’s what you need.”
― Peggy Noonan, A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings

“A gentleman is good to women because he has his own dignity and sees theirs. He takes opportunities to show them respect.”
― Peggy Noonan, A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings

“We need her to hold us back, and I think she needs us to pull her forward.”
― Peggy Noonan, A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings

“I came away from Tennessee Tech thinking what I always think when I see such schools: We’re going to be OK. And now, because you’d be lost without it, my advice to students still considering college in the year 2019. Avoid elite universities if you can; they’re too often indoctrination mills anyway. Aim at smaller, second-tier colleges, places of low-key harmony, religiously affiliated when possible—and get a real education. Every school has a library. Every library has books. That’s what you need. You’ll be with a better class of people—harder-working, less cynical, more earnest. First-generation college students who are excited to be there and committed to study. Immigrants who feel grateful to be there. Homeschooled kids with self-possession and dignity, who see the dignity in others. Do not network. Make friends. Learn about the lives of others.”
― Peggy Noonan, A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings