Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., (1841-1935) US Supreme Court Justice, also known as "The Great Dissenter"

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Quote

“Young man, the secret of my success is that at an early age I discovered that I was not God.”

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
~ Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

On his 90th birthday to a journalist (8 March 1931), as quoted in Information 2000: Library and Information Services for the 21st Century, Vol. 1991, Part 2 (1992) by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, p. 272.

Ratings and Comments


E Archer, NYC

The idea that the government is to solve all our problems seems to equate our government leaders with god-like powers and wisdom. When men attempt to do the work of God, we invariably get the devil.

Mike, Norwalk

Archer, well said. The quote does not represent how he voted while on the Supreme Court - I guess he discovered he was god / devil after all.

Robert Otto, San Antonio

Applies to some politicians today. They think that they are up there with God and his Angels and that they are just as important.

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