Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.

- Jim Leach

I think America is going to have to think through whether it wants to uplift the political dialogue or advance an approach that divides and, frankly, can lead to violence.

- Jim Leach

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

- Jim Leach

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

- Jim Leach

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

- Jim Leach

I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars.

- Jim Leach

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

- Jim Leach

America somehow thinks that leadership relates to governance, and it certainly does. But society is much bigger than governance, and some of the truly great leadership of our society is outside the governance arena.

- Jim Leach

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

- Jim Leach

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

- Jim Leach

Civility is not simply about manners.

- Jim Leach

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.

- 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

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

- 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

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

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

- Jim Leach

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

- Jim Leach