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Jimmy Carter
297 quotes
“I have been in love with the Palestinian people for many years...”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech in West Bank, Palestine. June 13, 2009. {{Cite news
“There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Most Nobel Laureates have carried out our work in safety, but there are others who have acted with great personal courage. None has provided more vivid reminders of the dangers of peacemaking than two of my friends, Anwar Sadat and Yitzhak Rabin, who gave their lives for the cause of peace in the Middle East.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am not here as a public official, but as a citizen of a troubled world who finds hope in a growing consensus that the generally accepted goals of society are peace, freedom, human rights, environmental quality, the alleviation of suffering, and the rule of law.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The most serious and universal problem is the growing chasm between the richest and poorest people on earth. Citizens of the ten wealthiest countries are now seventy-five times richer than those who live in the ten poorest ones, and the separation is increasing every year, not only between nations but also within them.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ladies and gentlemen: War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices. God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes — and we must.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My name is Jimmy Carter, and I'm not running for president.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ultimately, the basic issue is whether America will provide global leadership that springs from the unity and the integrity of the American people, or whether extremist doctrines, the manipulation of the truth, will define America's role in the world. At stake is nothing less than our nation's soul.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am not discouraged. I really am not. I do not despair for our country. I never do. I believe tonight, as I always have, that the essential decency and compassion and common sense of the American people will prevail. And so I say to you and to others around the world, whether they wish us well or ill: Do not underestimate us Americans.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have experienced the intensity of patriotism as a submarine officer, the ambitions of a competitive businessman, and the intensity of political debate. I have been sorely tempted to launch a military attack on foreigners, and have felt the frustration of having to negotiate with allies or even former enemies to reach a consensus instead of taking more decisive unilateral action.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I believe that anyone can be successful in life, regardless of natural talent or the environment within which we live. This is not based on measuring success by human competitiveness for wealth, possessions, influence, and fame, but adhering to God's standards of truth, justice, humility, service, compassion, forgiveness, and love.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For instance, I have never believed that Jesus Christ would approve either abortions or the death penalty, but I obeyed such Supreme Court decisions to the best of my ability, at the same time attempting to minimize what I considered to be their adverse impact.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The government and the church are two different realms of service, and those in political office have to face a subtle but important difference between the implementation of the high ideals of religious faith and public duty.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is a strong religious commitment to the sanctity of human life, but, paradoxically, some of the most fervent protectors of microscopic stem cells are the most ardent proponents of the death penalty.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Some devout Christians are among the most fervent advocates of the death penalty, contradicting Jesus Christ and justifying their belief on an erroneous interpretation of Hebrew Scriptures. "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," their most likely response, overlooks the fact that this was promulgated by Moses as a limitation- a prohibition against taking both eyes or all of an offender's teeth in retribution.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Eight years before he became vice president, Richard Cheney spelled out this premise in his "Defense Strategy for the 1990s." Either before or soon after 9/11, he and his close associates chose Iraq as the first major target, apparently to remove a threat to Israel and to have Iraq serve as our permanent military, economic, and political base in the Middle East.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Formerly admired almost universally as the preeminent champion of human rights, the United States now has become one of the foremost targets of respected international organizations concerned about these basic principles of democratic life. Some of our actions are similar to those of abusive regimes that we have historically condemned.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is apparent that prisoners of war are among the most vulnerable of people. Not only are they completely under the control of their captors, but in a time of conflict, the hatred and brutality of the battlefield are very likely to be mirrored within military prison walls.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The authenticity and universal applicability of these guarantees were never questioned by a democratic power — until recently, and by America! Instead of honoring the historic restraints, our political leaders decided to violate them, using the excuse that we are at war against terrorism. It is obvious that the Geneva Conventions were designed specifically to protect prisoners of war, not prisoners of peace.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Aside from the humanitarian aspects, it is well known that, under excruciating torture, a prisoner will admit almost any suggested crime. Such confessions are, of course, not admissible in trials in civilized nations. The primary goal of torture or the threat of torture is not to obtain convictions for crimes, but to engender and maintain fear. Some of our leaders have found that it is easy to forgo human rights for those who are considered to be subhuman, or "enemy combatants.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“With massive arsenals still on hair-trigger alert, a global holocaust is just as possible now, through mistakes or misjudgments, as it was during the depths of the Cold War.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I never felt that my dedication to military service was a violation of my faith in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For me personally and for most other Americans, this commitment to peace and diplomacy does not imply a blind or total pacifism. There are times when war is justified, and for many centuries the moral criteria for violence have been carefully delineated.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When combined, the small individual contributors of caring, friendship, forgiveness, and love, each of us different from our next-door neighbors, can form a phalanx, an army, with great capability.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is good to know that our nation's defenses against a conventional attack are impregnable, and an imperative that America remain vigilant against threats from terrorists. But as is the case with a human being, admirable characteristics of a nation are not defined by size and physical prowess. What are some of the other attributes of a superpower? Once again, they might very well mirror those of a person. These would include a demonstrable commitment to truth, justice, peace, freedom, humility, human rights, generosity, and the upholding of other moral values.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I guess my biggest failure was not getting reelected. [The loss taught me] not to ever let American hostages be held for 444 days in a foreign country without extracting them. I did the best I could, but I failed.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 1980 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Big Think, in reference to the 1980 presidential election, and the Iran hostage crisis (December 14, 2010).
“I obviously hoped that everything that I found would make a difference, … It ended up being way behind my wildest dreams.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: CBS News (February 22, 2012)
“America does not at the moment have a functioning democracy.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power (2014)
“It would be a fruitless search to look through the Scriptures and find one single instance where Jesus did not treat women either equal or superior to men.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Jimmy Carter 3.0: Building a post-presidential legacy" by Adelle M. Banks, in Religion News Service (May 28, 2014)
“We've become now an oligarchy instead of a democracy. And I think that's been the worst damage to the basic moral and ethical standards of the American political system that I've ever seen in my life.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement in an interview on SuperSoul Sunday with Oprah Winfrey, as quoted in "Jimmy Carter Tells Oprah America Is No Longer a Democracy, Now an Oligarchy" by Jon Levine, in .Mic (September 24, 2015)
“I think I would choose Trump, which may surprise some of you, but the reason is Trump has proven already that he's completely malleable. I don't think he has any fixed opinions that he would really go to the White House and fight for. Ted Cruz is not malleable. He has far right-wing policies, in my opinion, that would be pursued aggressively if and when he would become president.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To the , when asked about the . As quoted in Jimmy Carter: I would choose Donald Trump over Ted Cruz (February 3, 2016),
“It's very likely Hillary Clinton will still prevail in the Democratic Party. Bernie Sanders, though, has had a remarkable showing, particularly among young people.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To the , when asked about the . As quoted in Jimmy Carter: I would choose Donald Trump over Ted Cruz (February 3, 2016),
“I think he’s a disaster … In human rights and taking care of people and treating people equal. … I think there’s been an attitude of ignorance toward the truth by President Trump.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks on President Donald Trump, as quoted in "The un-celebrity president" by Kevin Sullivan and Mary Jordan The Washington Post (August 17, 2018)
“I voted for Bernie the last time. But one of the major factors I have in my mind is who can beat Trump. Because I think it would be a disaster to have four more years of Trump.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Jimmy Carter says Trump re-election would be ‘a disaster’" by Ernie Suggs, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (September 18, 2019)
“I still have complete confidence that the United States, if given time, will resolve its problems. We have always been able to do that in the past, whenever we faced difficult questions. The United States still has that innate strength.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Jimmy Carter says Trump re-election would be ‘a disaster’" by Ernie Suggs, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (September 18, 2019)
“Rosalynn and I are troubled by the violence at the U.S. Capitol today. This is a national tragedy and is not who we are as a nation. Having observed elections in troubled democracies worldwide, I know that we the people can unite to walk back from this precipice to peacefully uphold the laws of our nation, and we must. We join our fellow citizens in praying for a peaceful resolution so our nation can heal and complete the transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks on the storming of the US Capitol building, as quoted in Four former U.S. presidents react to chaos on Capitol Hill: "Sickening and heartbreaking sight", KATC (January 6, 2021)
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: According to Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96 (November 26, 2023)
“Jimmy Carter represents all that is good and decent in public life. And Marjorie Taylor Greene represents all that is sinister and despicable in public life.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Jonathan Alter, as quoted in The Peach State plummet, from Carter to MTG (28 February 2023)
“He started the Carter Center and has been involved in more than 100 negotiations on elections or observing elections, and because of this there has been a huge American presence in the world. Because of this, he won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. No one has done as much in their post-presidential years.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Terry Anderson, as quoted in How Will We Remember Jimmy Carter? (9 March 2023)
“The situations of the Wilmington 10, and the Charlotte 3, are very small symptoms of the monstrous and continuing wrong for which you, as the elected leader, are now responsible…I must add, in honor, that I write to you because I love our country: And you, in my lifetime, are the only president to whom I would have written.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 1977 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: James Baldwin, “An Open Letter to Mr. Carter” (1977)
“No one's going to clarify the situation for black people. They know that very well-the situation of the kids in the street who have no jobs and no future. We have to articulate that necessity because Mr. Carter can't do it. He never sees those people. Those people are numbers in the bulk of the American population. I suppose that what I'm suggesting is that we're going to have to create the help.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: interview in Conversations with James Baldwin edited by Louis H. Pratt and Fred L. Standley (1989)
“Religion always functions best at the margins of society and not in the councils of power, and I think Jimmy Carter’s career illustrates that beautifully ... He doesn’t have to worry about getting the approval from Congress on an initiative in Africa on river blindness. He’s not tethered by political considerations any longer.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Randall Balmer, as quoted in "Jimmy Carter 3.0: Building a post-presidential legacy" by Adelle M. Banks, in Religion News Service (May 28, 2014)
“The Carter administration set a goal of deriving 20 percent of U.S. energy needs from such renewable sources by the turn of the century. Today, the U.S. gets a mere 7 percent of its energy from renewables, the bulk of that from the massive hydroelectric dams constructed in the middle of the 20th century. Solar thermal and photovoltaic technology combined provide less than 0.1 percent.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: David Biello, in "Where Did the Carter White House's Solar Panels Go?" in Scientific American (August 6, 2010)
“Throughout his career he invariably found himself defending tyrants and dictators at the expense of their oppressed peoples, not because he was insensitive but because he was confused.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mr. Carter always subscribed to what my friend Michael Scroccaro calls 'Underdogma,' a knew-jerk reaction to champion the cause of the underdog however immoral the party. Poverty dictates virtue and weakness dictates righteousness.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Shmuley Boteach, in "The Moral Disintegration of Jimmy Carter" in Observer (August 11, 2014)
“Carter had the attitude of a Calvinist white man's burden regarding politics. He wasn't a good politician.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 1977 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: John Brademas, U.S. House Majority Whip (1977-1981), in a statement on 11 November 1980, as quoted Stuart E. Eizenstat, President Carter: The White House Years (2018), New York: St. Martin's Press, April 2018 first edit…
“Mr. Carter has presented a tour de force of the global abuse and manipulation of women, including statistics that will stun most readers with details that cannot be ignored. More importantly, he makes the argument that the treatment of women in world societies cannot and should not be justified by religious texts or appeals to ancestral tradition.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Rebecca I. Denova, in "Jimmy Carter's 'A Call to Action': Women's rights are universal", in Pittsburgh-Post Gazette (March 22, 2014)
“Public recognition of Carter's legacy of accomplishments has been obscured by inexperience in he critical early stages of the administration; iconoclastic, idiosyncratic decision making; double-digit inflation and interest rates; internal Democratic Party strife; and the Iran hostage crisis. But, like the successes of Truman, Clinton, and the senior Bush, Carter's achievements shine brighter over time, few more than his unique determination to put human rights at the forefront of his foreign policy from the start of his presidency.”
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Stuart E. Eizenstat, President Carter: The White House Years (2018), New York: St. Martin's Press, April 2018 first edition hardcover, p. 8