Antony Jay Quotes

United Kingdom, Writer
April 20, 1930 – August, 21, 2016.

Sir Antony Rupert Jay, CVO, CBE (20 April 1930 – 21 August 2016) was an English writer, broadcaster, and director. With Jonathan Lynn, he co-wrote the British political comedies Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister (1980–88). He also wrote The Householder's Guide to Community Defence Against Bureaucratic Aggression (1972).

Men grow to the stature to which they are stretched when they are young.

Antony Jay
- Men
'Referring the matter to a committee' can be a device for diluting authority, diffusing responsibility and delaying decisions.

Antony Jay
- Responsibility

He's suffering from Politicians' Logic. Something must be done, this is something, therefore we must do it.

Antony Jay
- Done
- Suffering
- Logic
The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a very creative mind to spot wrong questions.

Antony Jay
- Mind
You can judge a leader by the size of the problem he tackles. Other people can cope with the waves, it's his job to watch the tide.

Antony Jay
- People
- Job
- Judge
The Opposition aren't really the Opposition. They're just called the Opposition. But in fact they are the Opposition in exile. The Civil Service are the Opposition in residence.

Antony Jay
- Service