"He inherited some good instincts from his Quaker forebears but by diligent hard work, he overcame them."

“James Reston: The Insider's Journalist in the Service of Empire", Edward S. Herman, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting's EXTRA”

“The rising power of the United States in world affairs … requires, not a more compliant press, but a relentless barrage of facts and criticism.... Our job in this age, as I see it, is not to serve as cheerleaders for our side in the present world struggle but to help the largest possible number of people to see the realities of the changing and convulsive world in which American policy must operate.”

“Europe has a press that stresses opinions; America a press, radio, and television that emphasize news.”

“In foreign policy you have to wait twenty-five years to see how it comes out.”

“People are always dying in the Times who don't seem to die in other papers, and they die at greater length and maybe even with a little more grace.”