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Barack Obama

1,038 quotes

“And that’s what we celebrate today. The long arc of progress. Progress that is never assured, never guaranteed, but always possible, always there to be earned -– no matter how stuck we might seem sometimes. No matter how divided or despairing we may appear. No matter what ugliness may bubble up. Progress, so long as we’re willing to push for it; so long as we’re willing to reach for each other.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We would do a disservice to those warriors of justice -- Tubman, and Douglass, and Lincoln, and King -- were we to deny that the scars of our nation’s original sin are still with us today. We condemn ourselves to shackles once more if we fail to answer those who wonder if they’re truly equals in their communities, or in their justice systems, or in a job interview. We betray the efforts of the past if we fail to push back against bigotry in all its forms.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Just about every nation in the world, to some extent, admits immigrants. But there’s something unique about America. We don’t simply welcome new immigrants, we don’t simply welcome new arrivals -- we are born of immigrants. That is who we are. Immigration is our origin story. And for more than two centuries, it’s remained at the core of our national character; it’s our oldest tradition. It’s who we are. It’s part of what makes us exceptional.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We can never say it often or loudly enough: Immigrants and refugees revitalize and renew America.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“On days like today, we need to resolve never to repeat mistakes like that again. We must resolve to always speak out against hatred and bigotry in all of its forms -- whether taunts against the child of an immigrant farmworker or threats against a Muslim shopkeeper. We are Americans. Standing up for each other is what the values enshrined in the documents in this room compels us to do -– especially when it’s hard. Especially when it’s not convenient. That’s when it counts. That’s when it matters -- not when things are easy, but when things are hard.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Constitution is pretty clear about what is supposed to happen now. When there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court, the President of the United States is to nominate someone. The Senate is to consider that nomination, and either they disapprove of that nominee or that nominee is elevated to the Supreme Court. Historically, this has not been viewed as a question. There's no unwritten law that says that it can only be done on off years – that's not in the constitutional text.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by President Obama at U.S.-ASEAN Press Conference" (16 February 2016)
“I continue to believe that Mr. Trump will not be president. And the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking at the Asean economic summit in California, as quoted in "Donald Trump will not be president, says Barack Obama", BBC (17 February 2016)
“My view is that this is the beginning, not the end, of what is going to be a journey that takes some time.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Obama arrives in Cuba; hopes visit will usher in change" by Kevin Liptak, at CNN (20 March 2016)
“Real power means you can get what you want without having to exert violence.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In late January 2016, as quoted in "The Obama Doctrine" by Jeffrey Goldberg, in The Atlantic (April 2016)
“Iran so far has followed the letter of the agreement, but the spirit of the agreement involves Iran also sending signals to the world community and businesses that it is not going to be engaging in a range of provocative actions that might scare business off. When they launch ballistic missiles with slogans calling for the destruction of Israel, that makes businesses nervous.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "U.S. to clarify Iran rules, but Tehran must reassure wary firms" (April 2016)
“We belong on the cutting edge of innovation. That's an idea as old as America itself. We're a nation of tinkerers, and dreamers, and believers in a better tomorrow.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks about the first White House Science Fair in 2010. “It’s a prototype!” Tune in for President Obama’s Last Science Fair, April 13th (quote from video published on April 12, 2016)
“I think it's fair to say that maybe some point down the line, there might be a UK-U.S. trade agreement, but it's not going to happen anytime soon, because our focus is in negotiating with a big bloc, the European Union, to get a trade agreement done, and the UK is going to be in the back of the queue.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by the President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron in Joint Press Conference (22 April 2016). "Barack Obama: Brexit would put UK 'back of the queue' for trade talks", The Guardian.
“Right outside the door of the Treaty Room, so that I see it every day - including on weekends when I'm going into that office to watch a basketball game - the primary image I see is a bust of Winston Churchill. It's there voluntarily because I can do anything on the second floor. I love the guy.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Obama hits back at Boris Johnson's alleged smears, BBC News, 22 April 2016
“The end of the Republic has never looked better.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by the President at the White House Correspondents' Dinner (April 30, 2016)
“Look, I’ve said how much I admire Hillary’s toughness, her smarts, her policy chops, her experience. You’ve got to admit it, though, Hillary trying to appeal to young voters is a little bit like your relative just signed up for Facebook. "Dear America, did you get my poke? Is it appearing on your wall? I'm not sure I am using this right. Love, Aunt Hillary." It's not entirely persuasive.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by the President at the White House Correspondents' Dinner (April 30, 2016)
“There's been a trend around the country of trying to get college to disinvite speakers with a different point of view or disrupt a politician's rally. Don't do that, no matter how ridiculous or offensive you might find the things that come out of their mouths... If the other side has a point, learn from them! If they're wrong, rebut them, teach them, beat them on the battlefield of ideas!”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Commencement speech at Howard University, as quoted in "Obama: Students Need to Stop Shutting Down Speech of People They Disagree With" by Josh Feldman, Mediaite (7 May 2016)
“Big nations should not bully smaller ones. Disputes should be resolved peacefully.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Obama raises human rights in Vietnam, calls for 'peaceful resolution' of South China Sea disputes, CNN (24 May 2016)
“War, no matter what our intentions may be, brings suffering and tragedy.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Obama raises human rights in Vietnam, calls for 'peaceful resolution' of South China Sea disputes, CNN (24 May 2016)
“It’s very hard to prosper in this modern economy if you haven’t fully unleashed the potential of your people. And your people’s potential, in part, derives from their ability to express themselves and express new ideas, to try to right wrongs that are taking place in the society.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by President Obama After Meeting with Vietnamese Civil Society Leaders at JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi in Hanoi, Vietnam (May 24, 2016)
“We saw in San Jose these protesters starting to pelt stuff [at] Trump supporters. That's not what our democracy is about. That's not what you do. There's no room for violence. There's no place for shouting. There's no room for a politics that fails to at least listen to the other side — even if you vehemently disagree.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: At a DNC fundraiser in Florida, as quoted in "Obama condemns violence at Trump rally" by Evelyn Rupert, The Hill (3 June 2016)
“When people say "Black Lives Matter," that doesn't mean blue lives don't matter; it just means all lives matter, but right now the big concern is the fact that the data shows black folks are more vulnerable to these kinds of incidents.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement by the President (7 July 2016)
“We flood communities with so many guns that it is easier for a teenager to buy a Glock than get his hands on a computer or even a book.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by the President at Memorial Service for Fallen Dallas Police Officers (12 July 2016)
“If police organizations and departments acknowledge that there's a problem and there's an issue, then that, too, is going to contribute to real solutions. And, as I said yesterday, that is what's going to ultimately help make the job of being a cop a lot safer.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Rajoy of Spain After Bilateral Meeting (10 July 2016)
“If you you're in the United States, sometimes you can feel lazy and think we're so big we don't have to really know anything about other people.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by President Obama at YSEALI Town Hall (7 September 2016)
“Usually, if you see the environment destroyed, it’s not because that's necessary for development. It's usually because we're being lazy, and we're not being as creative as we could be about how to do it in a smarter, sustainable way.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by President Obama at YSEALI Town Hall (7 September 2016)
“As President Bush just said, a great nation doesn’t shy from the truth. It strengthens us. It emboldens us. It should fortify us.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by the President at the Dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (24 September 2016)
“But he understood from hard-earned experience that true security comes through making peace with your neighbors.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by President Obama at Memorial Service for Former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Israel. (30 September 2016)
“He knew, better than the cynic, that if you look out over the arc of history, human beings should be filled not with fear but with hope.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by President Obama at Memorial Service for Former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Israel. (30 September 2016)
“But he understood that it is better to live to the very end of his time on Earth with a longing not for the past but for the dreams that have not yet come true -- an Israel that is secure in a just and lasting peace with its neighbors.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by President Obama at Memorial Service for Former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Israel. (30 September 2016)
“It is important to remember that capitalism has been the greatest driver of prosperity and opportunity the world has ever seen.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Paul Blake. "Obama Defends Capitalism and International Free Trade in 'Economist' Essay" (archived) abcnews.go.com, 6 October 2016.
“I've got the economy set up well for him. No facts, no consequences, they can just have a cartoon.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In response to Donald Trump's election victory. (November 2016)
“The demographics of the country are going to change. It's inevitable. The Latino community in America is going to grow. If you stopped all immigration today, just by virtue of birth rates, this is going to be a browner country.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: NPR's Exit Interview With President Obama (19 December 2016)
“No foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks by the President on the Administration's Approach to Counterterrorism (6 December 2016)
“The United States of America is the most powerful nation on Earth. Period. It's not even close. We spend more on our military than the next eight nations combined. Our troops are the finest fighting force in the history of the world. No nation dares to attack us or our allies because they know that's the path to ruin. Surveys show our standing around the world is high... When it comes to every important international issue, people of the world do not look to Beijing or Moscow to lead; they call us.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When you come after Americans, we go after you. It may take time, but we have long memories, and our reach has no limit.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Leadership means a wise application of military power, and rallying the world behind causes that are right. It means seeing our foreign assistance as part of our national security, not something separate, not charity.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We need to reject any politics that targets people because of race or religion. This isn’t a matter of political correctness. It’s a matter of understanding what makes us strong. The world respects us not just for our arsenal; it respects us for our diversity and our openness and the way we respect every faith.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And this is yet another reminder that the world must unite, we must be together, regardless of nationality, or race, or faith, in fighting against the scourge of terrorism. We can -- and will -- defeat those who threaten the safety and security of people all around the world.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And I've always believed in what Martin Luther King, Jr. called “the fierce urgency of now” -- we should not fear change, we should embrace it.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And today, I want to share with you my vision of what our future can be. I want the Cuban people -- especially the young people -- to understand why I believe that you should look to the future with hope; not the false promise which insists that things are better than they really are, or the blind optimism that says all your problems can go away tomorrow. Hope that is rooted in the future that you can choose and that you can shape, and that you can build for your country.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And I can tell you as a friend that sustainable prosperity in the 21st century depends upon education, health care, and environmental protection. But it also depends on the free and open exchange of ideas. If you can’t access information online, if you cannot be exposed to different points of view, you will not reach your full potential. And over time, the youth will lose hope.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Before 1959, some Americans saw Cuba as something to exploit, ignored poverty, enabled corruption. And since 1959, we’ve been shadow-boxers in this battle of geopolitics and personalities. I know the history, but I refuse to be trapped by it.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There’s still enormous problems in our society. But democracy is the way that we solve them. That's how we got health care for more of our people. That's how we made enormous gains in women’s rights and gay rights. That's how we address the inequality that concentrates so much wealth at the top of our society. Because workers can organize and ordinary people have a voice, American democracy has given our people the opportunity to pursue their dreams and enjoy a high standard of living.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The ideals that are the starting point for every revolution -- America’s revolution, Cuba’s revolution, the liberation movements around the world -- those ideals find their truest expression, I believe, in democracy. Not because American democracy is perfect, but precisely because we’re not. And we -- like every country -- need the space that democracy gives us to change. It gives individuals the capacity to be catalysts to think in new ways, and to reimagine how our society should be, and to make them better.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There’s already an evolution taking place inside of Cuba, a generational change. Many suggested that I come here and ask the people of Cuba to tear something down -- but I’m appealing to the young people of Cuba who will lift something up, build something new.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sometimes the most important changes start in small places. The tides of history can leave people in conflict and exile and poverty. It takes time for those circumstances to change. But the recognition of a common humanity, the reconciliation of people bound by blood and a belief in one another -- that’s where progress begins. Understanding, and listening, and forgiveness.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I was honored to be the first U.S. President to visit Cuba in almost 90 years. And we still have differences with the Cuban government, but what I said to President Castro is we can't be imprisoned by the past. When something doesn't work for 50 years, we have to try something new. And I believe that engagement and dialogue is more powerful than isolation, and that the changes that we're making can improve the lives of the Cuban people.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You can create your own style, set your own standard of beauty, embrace your own sexuality. Think about an icon we just lost — Prince. He blew up categories. People didn’t know what Prince was doing. … And folks loved him for it. You need to have the same confidence. Or as my daughters tell me all the time, “You be you, Daddy.” … Sometimes Sasha puts a variation on it — "You do you, Daddy." … And because you’re a black person doing whatever it is that you're doing, that makes it a black thing. Feel confident.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Scripture tells us that in our sufferings there is glory, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Sometimes the truths of these words are hard to see. Right now, those words test us. Because the people of Dallas, people across the country, are suffering.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No, the reward comes in knowing that our entire way of life in America depends on the rule of law; that the maintenance of that law is a hard and daily labor; that in this country, we don’t have soldiers in the streets or militias setting the rules. Instead, we have public servants -- police officers -- like the men who were taken away from us.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source