26 'Walter Cronkite' Quotes From The Most Trusted Man In America
Gallery
Walter Cronkite was an American broadcast journalist, also known as the most trusted man in America.
He worked as an anchorman for the CBS Evening News for almost two decades. He reported many events from 1937 to 1981, including bombings in World War II, combat in the Vietnam War, and the Iran Hostage Crisis.
He was the only NASA recipient of an Ambassador of Exploration Award, renowned for his extensive coverage of the US space program. So, why not read these inspiring Walter Cronkite quotes to bring out the journalist in you?
For more great quotes, check out these [Jimmy Fallon quotes] and [Woody Paige quotes] too.
Famous Walter Cronkite Quotes
This segment has the most famous Walter Cronkite quotes.
1."Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation."
- Walter Cronkite.
2."In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story."
- Walter Cronkite.
3."I can't imagine a person becoming a success who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got."
- Walter Cronkite.
4."We are the lucky generation. We first broke our earthly bonds and ventured into space. From our descendants- perches on other planets or distant space cities, they will look back at our achievement with wonder at our courage and audacity and with appreciation at our accomplishments, which assured the future in which they live."
- Walter Cronkite.
5."Success is more permanent when you achieve it without destroying your principles."
- Walter Cronkite.
"I think somebody ought to do a survey as to how many great, important men have quit spending time with their families who spent any more time with their family."
- Walter Cronkite.
6."I never had the ambition to be something. I had the ambition to do something."
- Walter Cronkite.
7."The least of us is improved by the things done by the best of us because if we are not able to land at least we are able to follow."
- Walter Cronkite, 20 July 1969, CBS News moon landing coverage.
8."There's a little more ego involved in these jobs than people might realize."
- Walter Cronkite.
9."There is no such thing as a little freedom. Either you are all free, or you are not free."
- Walter Cronkite.
Bold Walter Cronkite Quotes
Among all Walter Cronkite quotes, "and that's the way it is", is arguably his most famous. This was his world-famous catchphrase, and he is best known for signing off his shows with this line. This section is full of bold claims and quotes which Walter Cronkite brought to the public fearlessly.
10."As anchorman of the CBS Evening News, I signed off my nightly broadcasts for nearly two decades with a simple statement: 'And that's the way it is.' To me, that encapsulates the newsman's highest ideal: to report the facts as he sees them, without regard for the consequences or controversy that may ensue."
- Walter Cronkite.
11."The democratic system is challenged by the failure in television because our evening news programs have gone for an attempt to entertain as much as to inform in the desperate fight for ratings."
- Walter Cronkite.
12."America's health care system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system."
- Walter Cronkite.
13."I want to say that probably 24 hours after I told CBS that I was stepping down at my 65th birthday, I was already regretting it. And I regretted it every day since."
- Walter Cronkite.
14."To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe, in the face of the evidence, the optimists who have been wrong in the past. To suggest we are on the edge of defeat is to yield to unreasonable pessimism. To say that we are mired in stalemate seems the only realistic, yet unsatisfactory, conclusion."
- Walter Cronkite.
15."We are not educated well enough to perform the necessary act of intelligently selecting our leaders."
- Walter Cronkite.
16."When you're bringing in a fairly unknown candidate challenging a sitting president, the population needs a lot more information than reduced coverage provides."
- Walter Cronkite.
17."I am a registered independent because I find that I cast my votes not on the basis of party loyalty but on the issues of the moment and my assessment of the candidates."
- Walter Cronkite.
18."You take a little pill of news every day - 23 minutes - and that's supposed to be enough."
- Walter Cronkite.
19."Not only do we have a right to know, we have a duty to know what our Government is doing in our name."
- Walter Cronkite.
Quotes For Journalists
Walter Cronkite was able to be a great journalist, working for almost two decades on CBS news. Here are some Walter Cronkite quotes on world journalism.
20."Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy."
- Walter Cronkite.
21."The profession of journalism ought to be about telling people what they need to know - not what they want to know."
- Walter Cronkite.
22."For many years, I did my best to report on the issues of the day in as objective a manner as possible... Now, however, my circumstances are different. I am in a position to speak my mind. And that is what I propose to do."
- Walter Cronkite.
23."It is not the reporter's job to be a patriot or to presume to determine where patriotism lies. His job is to relate the facts."
- Walter Cronkite.
24."Our job is only to hold up the mirror - to tell and show the public what has happened."
- Walter Cronkite.
25."I felt that I had been driven from the temple where for nineteen years, along with other believers, I had worshiped the great god News on a daily basis."
- Walter Cronkite, 'A Reporter's Life'.
26."I have never pretended to be a great writer. I am totally immodest about being a great reporter and a good news writer. I write fast and I write accurately, nearly as accurately as anybody can be, and that's my skill."
- Walter Cronkite.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Walter Cronkite quotes, then why not take a look at these Wangari Maathai quotes or Tim Ferriss quotes for more?
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights
Anusuya MukherjeeBachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights
With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.