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Richard Nixon

224 quotes

“This administration has proved that it is utterly incapable of cleaning out the corruption which has completely eroded it and reestablishing the confidence and faith of the American people in the morality and honesty of their government employees.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1951 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Nixon as Senator, speaking of the Truman administration in 1951, as quoted in Isaac Asimov's Book of Facts (1992), p. 338
“Isn't it better to talk about the relative merits of washing machines than the relative strength of rockets? Isn't this the kind of competition you want?”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1959 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks to Soviet premier Nikita Krushchev during the Kitchen Debate (24 July 1959)
“Now, some may ask why we don't get rid of the bases, since the Soviet Government declares today that it has only peaceful intentions. The answer is that whenever the fear and suspicions that caused us and our Allies to take measures for collective self-defense are removed, the reason for our maintaining bases will be removed. In other words, the only possible solution of this problem lies in mutual, rather than unilateral action leading toward disarmament.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1959 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks during a radio address in Moscow, quoted in "1959 Year In Review: Death of John Foster Dulles," UPI.com (1959)
“If you think the United States has stood still, who built the largest shopping center in the world, the Lloyd Shopping Center right here?”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Buchanan, if you ever hear of a group getting together to stop X, be sure to put your money on X.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1964 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Said during the 1964 Cleveland Governors Conference, as recalled in:
“Do you want to make a point or do you want to make a change? do you want to get something off your chest, or do you want to get something done?”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sock it to me?”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1968 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Cameo appearance on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (September 16, 1968)
“A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 1969 note to self, as quoted in Nixon (1987) by Stephen E. Ambrose, p. 284
“North Vietnam cannot defeat or humiliate the United States. Only Americans can do that.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam (November 3, 1969)
“Riots were also the most virulent symptoms to date of another, and in some ways graver, national disorder — the decline in respect for public authority and the rule of law in America. Far from being a great society, our is becoming a lawless society.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our opinion-makers have gone too far in promoting the doctrine that when a law is broken, society, not the criminal is to blame. Our teachers, preachers, and politicians have gone too far in advocating the idea that each individual should determine what laws are good and what laws are bad, and that he then should obey the law he likes and disobey the law he dislikes.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Men of intellectual and moral eminence who encourage public disobedience of the law are responsible for the acts of those who inevitably follow their counsel: the poor, the ignorant and the impressionable. For example, to the professor objecting to de facto segregation, it may be crystal clear where civil disobedience may begin and where it must end. But the boundaries have become fluid to his students and other listeners. Today in the urban slums, the limits of responsible action are all but invisible.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There can be no right to revolt in this society; no right to demonstrate outside the law, and, in Lincoln's words, 'no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law'. In a civilized nation no man can excuse his crime against the person or property of another by claiming that he, too, has been a victim of injustice. To tolerate that is to invite anarchy.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The American dream does not come to those who fall asleep.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sixteen years have passed since the Chief Justice assumed his present position. These 16 years, without doubt, will be described by historians as years of greater change in America than any in our history. And that brings us to think of the mystery of government in this country, and for that matter in the world, the secret of how government can survive for free men. And we think of the terms "change" and "continuity." Change without continuity can be anarchy. Change with continuity can mean progress. And continuity without change can mean no progress.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We have proposed the first major restructuring of food programs for the needy in the history of food programs. Let's face it, for years, food programs were designed as much to get rid of surplus commodities as to feed hungry people, and now, for the first time, we propose that every American family shall have the resources, in food stamps, commodities, and other assistance, to obtain a minimum nutritious diet, with free focal stamps for those with very low incomes.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We have declared the first 5 years of a child's life to be a period of special and specific Federal concern. New knowledge recently acquired has shown that these earliest, formative years are crucial to a child's later development. Yet with only random exceptions, no provision has previously been made to insure the welfare of children during these years. With an eye to the next generation, we have made it our business to fill this void.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One of the areas most urgently in need of new policies is the area of trade. In my various trips to the Latin American countries and the other American countries, I have found that this has been uppermost on the minds of the leaders for many, many years. In order to finance their import needs and to achieve self-sustaining growth, the other American nations must expand their exports.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I would rather be a one-term President and do what I believe is right than to be a two-term President at the cost of seeing America become a second-rate power and to see this Nation accept the first defeat in its proud 190-year history.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the nation on the situation in Southeast Asia (April 30, 1970); in Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Richard Nixon, 1970, p. 410
“If, when the chips are down, the world's most powerful nation, the United States of America, acts like a pitiful, helpless giant, the forces of totalitarianism and anarchy will threaten free nations and free institutions throughout the world.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the nation on the situation in Southeast Asia (April 30, 1970); in Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Richard Nixon, 1970, p. 409
“They always put me in the field where the ball wasn't going to be hit.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking with prior to the , as quoted in "The Press Box: Roberto's Reverse" by Roy McHugh, in The Pittsburgh Press (July 15, 1970)
“1 in 10 chance perhaps, but save Chile! worth spending; not concerned; no involvement of embassy; $10,000,000 available, more if necessary; full-time job — best men we have; game plan; make the economy scream; 48 hours for plan of action.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Notes taken down by CIA director Richard Helms on Nixon's orders for a plan against Salvador Allende of Chile. (September 15, 1970); Document reproduced as part of George Washington University's National Security Archiv…
“There is an international disease which feeds on the notion that if you have a cause to defend, you can use any means to further your cause, since the end justifies the means. As an international community, we must oppose this notion, whether it be in Canada, in the United States, or anywhere else. No cause justifies violence as long as the system provides for change by peaceful means.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech on the October Crisis (October 1970), quoted in Louis, Fournier, F.L.Q: The Anatomy of an Underground movement (Toronto: NC Press Limited, 1984), p. 256
“I am now a Keynesian in economics.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Just after a broadcast interview with four newsmen (January 6, 1971), according to Howard K. Smith, one of the interviewers. "Nixon Has Shifted to Ideas of Keyness: ABC Commentator
“The Jewish cabal is out to get me.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A remark repeated by Nixon several times in private conversations (c. 1971) as quoted in The Final Days by Bob Woodward
“You know, it's a funny thing, every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana are Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob? What is the matter with them? I suppose it is because most of them are psychiatrists.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement (May 26, 1971) as quoted in Newsweek (May 27, 2004)
“Many Jews in the Communist conspiracy. Chambers and Hiss were the only non-Jews. Many thought that Hiss was. He could have been a half. Every other one was a Jew — and it raised hell for us. But in this case, I hope to God he's not a Jew.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Nixon, Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler, 2:42-3:33 P.M. Oval Office Conversation #524-7; cassette #775 (June 17, 1971)
“So few of those who engage in espionage are Negroes. In fact, very few of them become Communists. If they do, they like, they get into Angela Davis — they're more the capitalist type. And they throw bombs and this and that. But the Negroes — have you ever noticed any Negro spies?”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Nixon, Haldeman, and Ziegler, 4:03 P.M., Oval Office Conversation #537-4; cassette #876 (July 5, 1971)
“I think of what happened to Greece and Rome, and you see what is left—only the pillars. What has happened, of course, is that the great civilizations of the past, as they have become wealthy, as they have lost their will to live, to improve, they then have become subject to decadence that eventually destroys the civilization. The United States is now reaching that period.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to senior mid-western media executives in Kansas City, Mo (July 6, 1971)
“We must protect the dollar from the attacks of international money speculators. ... I have directed Secretary Connally to suspend temporarily the convertibility of the American dollar [for gold] ... Let me lay to rest the bugaboo of what is called devaluation. ... Your dollar will be worth just as much tomorrow as it is today.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Challenge of Peace: Nixon's televised address imposing a new economic policy (August 15, 1971), which ended the Bretton Woods monetary system, and initiated the "Nixon shock".
“I want a public relations program developed to piss on the Indians. I want to piss on them for their responsibility. I want the Indians blamed for this, you know what I mean? We can’t let these goddamn, sanctimonious Indians get away with this. They’ve pissed on us on Vietnam for 5 years, Henry.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Richard Nixon to Henry Kissinger during Bangladesh Liberation War, quoted in Bass, G. J. (2014). The Blood telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a forgotten genocide. chapter 18. FRUS, vol. E-7, White House tapes, Oval Office…
“The Jews are irreligious, atheistic, immoral bunch of bastards.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Nixon to Bob Haldeman (February 1, 1972), as cited in "Nixon, Graham anti-Semitism on tape", Chicago Tribune (March 1, 2002/August 20, 2021)
“We are faced this year with the choice between the "work ethic" that built this Nation's character and the new "welfare ethic" that could cause that American character to weaken.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Labor Day Message to the nation (September 3, 1972)
“The average American is just like the child in the family. You give him some responsibility and he is going to amount to something. He is going to do something. If, on the other hand, you make him completely dependent and pamper him and cater to him too much, you are going to make him soft, spoiled and eventually a very weak individual.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Post-re-election interview with Garnett D. Horner, The Washington Star-News (November 9, 1972), p. 1.
“I've just recognized that, you know, all people have certain traits. ... The Jews have certain traits. The Irish have certain — for example, the Irish can't drink. What you always have to remember with the Irish is they get mean. Virtually every Irish I've known gets mean when he drinks. Particularly the real Irish. ... The Italians, of course, those people course don't have their heads screwed on tight. They are wonderful people, but ...The Jews are just a very aggressive and abrasive and obnoxious personality.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Bill Rogers has got — to his credit it's a decent feeling — but somewhat sort of a blind spot on the black thing because he's been in New York. He says well, 'They are coming along, and that after all they are going to strengthen our country in the end because they are strong physically and some of them are smart.' So forth and so on. My own view is I think he's right if you're talking in terms of 500 years. What has to happen is they have to be, frankly, inbred. And, you just, that's the only thing that's going to do it, Rose.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1973 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Conversation with secretary Rose Mary Woods on tapes recorded February-March 1973 on tapes recorded February-March 1973; as quoted in "In Tapes, Nixon Rails About Jews and Blacks", by Adam Nagourney, The New York Times …
“What it is, is it's the insecurity. It's the latent insecurity. Most Jewish people are insecure. And that's why they have to prove things.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1973 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Conversation on Jewish aides as quoted on tapes recorded February-March 1973 "In Tapes, Nixon Rails About Jews and Blacks", by Adam Nagourney, The New York Times (December 10, 2010)
“I didn't notice many Jewish names coming back from Vietnam on any of those lists; I don't know how the hell they avoid it. If you look at the Canadian-Swedish contingent, they were very disproportionately Jewish. The deserters”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1973 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Conversation with Mr. Colson, on tapes recorded February-March 1973; as quoted in "In Tapes, Nixon Rails About Jews and Blacks", by Adam Nagourney, The New York Times (December 10, 2010)
“If you are going to lie, you go to jail for the lie rather than the crime. So believe me, don't ever lie.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1973 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To John Dean in April 1973. Dean was due to testify before the Senate Watergate Committee, which he did on June 25, 1973.
“I want to say this to the television audience. I made my mistakes, but in all of my years of public life, I have never profited, never profited from public service. I have earned every cent. And in all of my years of public life, I have never obstructed justice. And I think, too, that I can say that in my years of public life, that I welcome this kind of examination because people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook. I've earned everything I've got.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1973 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Televised press conference with 400 Associated Press Managing Editors at Walt Disney World, Florida. (November 17, 1973)
“I don't give a shit what happens. I want you all to stonewall it, let them plead the Fifth Amendment, cover up or anything else, if it'll save it, save this plan. That's the whole point. We're going to protect our people if we can.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And I want you to know that I have no intention whatever of ever walking away from the job that the people elected me to do for the people of the United States.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1974 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: State of the Union Address (January 30, 1974)
“Now, when individuals read the entire transcript of the [March] 21st [1973] meeting, or hear the entire tape, where we discussed all these options, they may reach different interpretations, but I know what I meant, and I know also what I did.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1974 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: News Conference (March 6, 1974)
“I recognize that this additional material I am now furnishing may further damage my case.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1974 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: After the court-ordered release of the White House tapes (August 5, 1974)
“The greatness comes not when things go always good for you, but the greatness comes when you are really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes; because only if you've been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain. Always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Always remember: Others may hate you. But those who hate you don't win, unless you hate them. And then, you destroy yourself.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1974 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the assembled White House staff before his final departure (August 9, 1974)
“Oh, when the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1977 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with David Frost (May 19, 1977); printed in The New York Times (May 20, 1977), p. A16; also in "Nixon's Views on Presidential Power: Excerpts from an Interview with David Frost [Archive]", referring to the Hus…
“I call it the Madman Theory, Bob. I want the North Vietnamese to believe I've reached the point where I might do anything to stop the war. We'll just slip the word to them that, for God's sake, you know Nixon is obsessed about Communism. We can't restrain him when he's angry and he has his hand on the nuclear button and Ho Chi Minh himself will be in Paris in two days begging for peace.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1978 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in The Ends of Power (1978) by Robert Haldeman p. 83
“Being controversial in politics is inevitable. If an individual wants to be a leader and isn't controversial, that means he never stood for anything. In the world today, there are not many good choices — only choices between the half-good and the less half-good.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1978 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Cited in Nick Thimmesch's "An interview with Nixon: 'Defeated, but not finished'" (Chicago Tribune (December 11, 1978)
“I wouldn't put out a statement praising it, but we're not going to condemn it either. [Nixon's comment about the atrocities and genocide committed by the West Pakistan government against Bangladesh during the Bangladesh Liberation War]”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, Volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971, , and The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide by Gary J. Bass
“Someone is saying we are contemplating sending aid to help the Pakistani refugees. I hope to hell we’re not.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: FRUS, Nixon-Haig telcon (April 29, 1971), p. 99. quoted in Bass, G. J. (2014). The Blood telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a forgotten genocide.