William F. Buckley passed away sometime last night and it was sad news, indeed. His  philosophy, personality and good humor were foundational for today’s conservatives and the Reagan Revolution.

Personally, I often watched him on Firing Line and, usually, needed a dictionary to look up new words. His vocabulary was incredible even though English was his third language.

Some of my favorite Buckley quotes:

“You cultivate the essential virtues: high purpose, intelligence, decency, humility, fear of the Lord, and the passion for freedom.”

“I’d rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.”

“I mean to live my life an obedient man, but obedient to God, subservient to the wisdom of my ancestors; never to the authority of political truths arrived at yesterday at the voting booth.”

“Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.”

And many, many more.

National Review is one of his lasting legacies. He will be greatly missed.

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