Don't taunt the alligator until after you've crossed the creek.
Author
Dan Rather
19 quotations
About Dan Rather
Daniel Irvin Rather Jr. is an American journalist, commentator, and former national evening news anchor. He began his career in Texas, becoming a national name in September 1961 after his reporting saved thousands of lives during Hurricane Carla. He has reported on some of the most significant events of the modern age, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, 9/11, the Iraq War, and the war on terror.
Read on Wikipedia → Find books by Dan RatherI had just turned 10-years-old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and plunged America into World War II.
The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth'.
The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth'.
Now, I know you expected me to say that, well, I just kick back in the rocking chair, fished a little bit, listened to Willie Nelson tapes and watched old baseball games on the Classic Sports network…
This much we know: Journalism is not a precise science. It's, on its best day, is a crude art. We make mistakes I make mistakes. With more than 50 years as a journalist, I have at least had the oppor…
I respect and empathize with reporters and editors who must compete in today's environment. And I know full well that when I've been covering campaigns, which I still do, I've made my mistakes and ha…
I still love following and thinking about politics. I enjoy recommending important journalism I read or see from other sources.
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A tough lesson in life that one has to learn is that not everybody wishes you well.
But we cannot rely on memorials and museums alone. We can tell ourselves we will never forget and we likely won't. But we need to make sure that we teach history to those who never had the opportunit…
If I didn't have a front-row seat on history, it was at least a seat on the aisle.
As long as I have my health, I want to be reporting somewhere.
Journalists should denounce government by public opinion polls.
A free and truly independent press - fiercely independent when necessary - is the red beating heart of freedom and democracy.
Fear rules almost every newsroom in the country.
Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow.
To err is human but to really foul up requires a computer.
Performing doesn't turn me on. It's an egomaniac business, filled with prima donnas - including this one.
But we cannot rely on memorials and museums alone. We can tell ourselves we will never forget and we likely won't. But we need to make sure that we teach history to those who never had the opportunit…