Koch loved New York and believed it was the only place to be. Koch said
“Have you ever lived in the suburbs? … It’s sterile. It’s nothing. It’s wasting your life, and people do not wish to waste their lives once they’ve seen New York! … This rural American thing — I’m telling you, it’s a joke.”
The son of Polish immigrants Koch was born in the Bronx and grew up in Newark New Jersey. He served in the Army and returned to attend City College of New York where he graduated in 1945. Koch attended New York Law School and in 1948 he became a Lawyer in the City he loved. Active in the Democratic Party Koch was elected Representative for the 17th Congressional district in 1969 and remained there until being elected Mayor in 1977.
From Water to Watergate Koch was never short of a quote and what he said was always quotable. A media savvy Mayor and a great New Yorker today we are left with the great memories and the wonderful Kochisms. Ask A New Yorker.com remembers a few: Thanks Ed for the memories. New York and the world will never forget you or those great lines you gave us.
Edward Koch – “I know many writers who first dictate passages, then polish what they have dictated. I speak, then I polish – occasionally I do windows.”
Edward Koch – “The best way to lose weight is to close your mouth – something very difficult for a politician. Or watch your food – just watch it, don’t eat it.”
Edward Koch – “Water, water, everywhere, Atlantic and Pacific. But New York City’s got them beat, our aqua is terrific”
Edward Koch – “The art of creation is older than the art of killing.”
Edward Koch – “Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That’s how I get my kicks.”
Edward Koch – “When all are wrong, everyone is right.”
Edward Koch – “If I traveled to the end of the rainbow as Dame Fortune did intend, Murphy would be there to tell me the pot’s at the other end.”
Edward Koch – “In action be primitive in foresight, a strategist.”
Edward Koch – “We’re in the hands of the state legislature and God, but at the moment, the state legislature has more to say than God.”
Edward Koch – “I’m not the type to get ulcers. I give them.”
Edward Koch – “Forgive your enemies — but never forget their names.”
Edward Koch – “You don’t have to love them. You just have to respect their rights.”
Edward Koch – “If they don’t want to pay for it, they can stop drinking it.”
Edward Koch – “If you don’t like the president, it costs you 90 bucks to fly to Washington to picket. If you don’t like the governor, it costs you 60 bucks to fly to Albany to picket. If you don’t like me, 90 cents.”
Edward Koch – “The person who is bent on killing you will follow you wherever you are.”
Edward Koch – “You punch me, I punch back. I do not believe it’s good for ones self-respect to be a punching bag.”
Edward Koch – “Tone can be as important as text.”
Edward Koch – “The most guileful amongst the reporters … are those who appear friendly and smile and seem to be supportive. They are the ones who will seek to gut you on every occasion.”
Edward Koch – “The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse.”
Edward Koch – “The best way to lose weight is to close your mouth something very difficult for a politician. Or watch your food just watch it, don’t eat it.”
Edward Koch – “I’m not an author, but before I became mayor, I wasn’t a mayor.”
Edward Koch – “The knife of corruption endangered the life of New York City. The scalpel of the law is making us well again.”
Edward Koch – “If you turn your back on these people, you yourself are an animal. You may be a well-dressed animal, but you are nevertheless an animal.”
Edward Koch – “Water, water, everywhere Atlantic and Pacific But New York City’s got them beat our aqua is terrific”
Edward Koch – “They have given me the imprimatur of a serious writer, which I knew I was but could not claim publicly until they gave it to me.”
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