Famous quotes

Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,158,269 quotes Who coined it · How we decide

English Italiano Polski עברית Français Português فارسی Español 中文 Русский Deutsch العربية हिन्दी 日本語 Ελληνικά Latina

Ronald Reagan

316 quotes

“I believe with all my heart that our first priority must be world peace, and that use of force is always and only a last resort, when everything else has failed, and then only with regard to our national security.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1980 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Presidential debate with Jimmy Carter (28 October 1980)
“Thomas Jefferson made a comment about the Presidency and age. He said that one should not worry about one's exact chronological age in reference to his ability to perform one's task. And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks at the Annual Salute to Congress Dinner (4 February 1981)
“Those [mujahideen] are freedom fighters. Those are people fighting for their own country and not wanting to become a satellite state of the Soviet Union, which came in and established a government of its choosing there, without regard to the feelings of the Afghans.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in REAGAN HINTING AT ARMS FOR AFGHAN REBELS (10 March 1981)
“Intelligence reports say he — Castro — is very worried about me. I'm very worried that we can't come up with something to justify his worrying.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: White House diary (11 February 1981) as quoted in "Reagan's diaries to be published", BBC News (2 May 2007)
“Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks at the National Conference of the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO (30 March 1981)) (source: )
“Honey, I forgot to duck.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1926 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To his wife, Nancy, while in hospital shortly after he was shot in an assassination attempt (30 March 1981). Reagan is believed to have been quoting the words of boxer Jack Dempsey to his wife after he lost to Gene Tunn…
“I hope you're all Republican.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking to surgeons as he entered the operating room following a 1981 assassination attempt. To which Dr. Joseph Giordano replied, "We're all Republicans today." An alternative version has Reagan saying "Please tell me…
“This is not the time for political fun and games. This is the time for a new beginning. I ask you now to put aside any feelings of frustration or helplessness about our political institutions and join me in this dramatic but responsible plan to reduce the enormous burden of Federal taxation on you and your family.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the Nation (27 July 1981)
“The size of the Federal budget is not an appropriate barometer of social conscience or charitable concern.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the National Alliance of Business (5 October 1981)
“I never knew anything above Cs.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Describing his academic record to Barbara Walters (27 November 1981), cited by Paul Slansky, The Clothes Have No Emperor
“Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The New Republic (16 December 1981) ; as cited in War and Conflict Quotations, eds. Michael & Jean Thomsett, McFarland (1997), p. 105
“We don't have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, 1982
“I was going to have an opening statement, but I decided that what I was going to say I wanted to get a lot of attention, so I'm going to wait and leak it.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: News Conference January 19, 1982
“Every country and every people has a stake in the Afghan resistance, for the freedom fighters of Afghanistan are defending principles of independence and freedom that form the basis of global security and stability.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Referring to groups who were resisting Soviet rule of Afghanistan, with U.S. support, in Proclamation 4908 — Afghanistan Day (10 March 1982)
“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with conflict by peaceful means.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address at Commencement Exercises at Eureka College in Illinois," May 9, 1982. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project.
“When the chips are down and the decisions are made as to who the candidates will be, then the 11th commandment prevails and everybody goes to work, and that is: Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1966 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks in New York City at a Reception for Delegates to the State Republican Convention (17 June 1982), this is a restatement of "The Eleventh Commandment" by California Republican Party Chairman Gaylord Parkinson, whi…
“With the destructive power of today's weapons, keeping the peace is not just a goal; it's a sacred obligation. But maintaining peace requires more than sincerity and idealism—more than optimism and good will. As you know well, peace is a product of hard, strenuous labor by those dedicated to its preservation. It requires realism, not wishful thinking.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Toasts of the President and United Nations Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar at a Luncheon in New York City " (17 June 1982); online at The American Presidency Project by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley
“Yes, because for many years I was a Democrat.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Response to Sam Donaldson (September 1982), on whether he shared any blame for the ongoing recession
“By outlawing Solidarity, a free trade organization to which an overwhelming majority of Polish workers and farmers belong, they have made it clear that they never had any intention of restoring one of the most elemental human rights—the right to belong to a free trade union.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1980 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Radio Address to the Nation on Solidarity and United States Relations With Poland (1982-10-09). Compare with an earlier Reagan speech: "... where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost. The…
“Well, I learned a lot. ... You'd be surprised. They're all individual countries.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted by Lou Cannon in his article Latin [American] Trip an Eye-Opener for Reagan in The Washington Post (6 December 1982)
“Abraham Lincoln freed the black man. In many ways, Dr. King freed the white man. How did he accomplish this tremendous feat? Where others — white and black — preached hatred, he taught the principles of love and nonviolence. We can be so thankful that Dr. King raised his mighty eloquence for love and hope rather than for hostility and bitterness. He took the tension he found in our nation, a tension of injustice, and channeled it for the good of America and all her people.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address on the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King (15 January 1983)
“Ben if only it were possible to look into each other's hearts and minds, you would find no trace of prejudice or bigotry in mine. I know that's hard for you to believe and that's too bad because together we could do more for the people you represent than either of us can do alone.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) said by 2004 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Ronald Reagan and Race" (August 2019), by Jay Nordlinger, National Review
“Prejudice is not a failing peculiar to one race, it can and does exist in people of every race and ethnic background. It takes individual effort to root it out of one's heart. In my case my father and mother saw that it never got a start. I shall be forever grateful to them.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) said by 2004 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Ronald Reagan and Race" (August 2019), by Jay Nordlinger, National Review
“Let us be aware that while they [the Soviet leadership] preach the supremacy of the state, declare its omnipotence over individual man, and predict its eventual domination of all peoples on the earth, they are the focus of evil in the modern world.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the National Association of Evangelicals (8 March 1983)
“So, in your discussions of the nuclear freeze proposals, I urge you to beware the temptation of pride, the temptation of blithely declaring yourselves above it all and label both sides equally at fault, to ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire, to simply call the arms race a giant misunderstanding and thereby remove yourself from the struggle between right and wrong and good and evil.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the National Association of Evangelicals (8 March 1983)
“Some people work an entire lifetime and wonder if they ever made a difference to the world. But the Marines don't have that problem.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Lance Cpl. Joe Hickey (23 September 1983), R.W. "Dick" Gaines refers in detail
“One hundred nations in the UN have not agreed with us on just about everything that's come before them, where we're involved, and it didn't upset my breakfast at all.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reacting to international criticism of the US invasion of Grenada, during press conference. (3 November 1983)
“I've been frustrated and angered by the attempts to paint me as a racist and as lacking in compassion for the poor. On the one subject I was raised by a mother and father who instilled in me and my brother a hatred for bigotry and prejudice, long before there was such a thing as a civil rights movement. As for the poor, we were poor in an era when there were no government programs to turn to. I'm well aware of how lucky I've been since and how good the Lord has been to me.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) said by 2004 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Ronald Reagan and Race" (August 2019), by Jay Nordlinger, National Review
“The only way there could be war is if they start it; we're not going to start a war.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Declaring what he would tell Yuri Andropov, head of the Soviet Union, were he in the room; in an interview for People magazine (12 June 1983)
“If the big spenders get their way, they'll charge everything on your "Taxpayers Express Card." And believe me, they never leave home without it.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks at the Annual Conservative Political Action Conference Dinner (Speech delivered varies slightly from transcript) (2 March 1984)
“Not to the extent of throwing up my hands and saying, "Well, it's all over." No. I think whichever generation and at whatever time, when the time comes, the generation that is there, I think will have to go on doing what they believe is right.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Answer to question about whether he's mused about Armageddon.Interview for People magazine (12 June 1983)
“Until now has there ever been a time in which so many of the prophecies are coming together? There have been times in the past when people thought the end of the world was coming, and so forth, but never anything like this.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ronald Reagan (6 December 1983), cited by Paul Slansky, The Clothes Have No Emperor
“I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Said often during his presidency (1981–1989)
“History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the nation from the White House (16 January 1984)
“America's recovery may have taken Soviet leaders by surprise. They may have counted on us to keep weakening ourselves. They've been saying for years that our demise was inevitable.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the nation from the White House (16 January 1984)
“Neither we nor the Soviet Union can wish away the differences between our two societies and our philosophies, but we should always remember that we do have common interests.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the nation from the White House (16 January 1984)
“Preservation of our environment is not a liberal or conservative challenge, it's common sense.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: State of the Union address (25 January 1984)
“What we have found in this country, and maybe we're more aware of it now, is one problem that we've had, even in the best of times, and that is the people who are sleeping on the grates, the homeless who are homeless, you might say, by choice.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Defending himself against charges of callousness on Good Morning America(31 January 1984), cited by Paul Slansky, The Clothes Have No Emperor
“I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Joke at the Gridiron Club annual dinner (24 March 1984)
“You'd be surprised how much being a good actor pays off.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Responding to a question from students at Shanghai's University of Fudan as to which experiences best prepared him for the presidency (30 April 1984), cited by Paul Slansky, The Clothes Have No Emperor
“My great-grandfather left here in a time of stress, seeking to better himself and his family. From what I'm told, we were a poor family. But my ancestors took with them a treasure, an indomitable spirit that was cultivated in the rich soil of this county. And today I come back to you as a descendant of people who are buried here in paupers' graves.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks to the citizens of Ballyporeen, Ireland (3 June 1984)
“These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at Pointe du Hoc on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day (6 June 1984)
“We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at Omaha Beach on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day (6 June 1984)
“My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Joking during a microphone check. The joke was later leaked to the general populace and, upon learning of it, Soviet defenses went on high alert. (11 August 1984)
“Recognizing the equality of all men and women, we are willing and able to lift the weak, cradle those who hurt, and nurture the bonds that tie us together as one nation under God.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address accepting the Republican presidential nomination (23 August 1984)
“America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts. It rests in the message of hope in songs of a man so many young Americans admire -- New Jersey's own, Bruce Springsteen.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech in Hammonton, N.J. (19 September 1984)
“I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Debate with Walter Mondale (21 October 1984)
“If I still have time, I might add, Mr. Trewhitt, I might add that it was Seneca or it was Cicero, I don't know which, that said, If it was not for the elders correcting the mistakes of the young, there would be no state.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reagan followed up his previous reply with this comment to Baltimore Sun reporter Henry Trewhitt question on Regan´s age and ability to perform the duties as president Debate with Walter Mondale (21 October 1984)
“If you read the letter, you will find there is nothing wrong with it.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1960 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Commenting on a letter that Reagan had written to Richard Nixon in 1960 regarding John F. Kennedy, as quoted in The New York Times (27 October 1984). The letter to Nixon said: "Unfortunately, he is a powerful speaker wi…
“We in the United States, above all, must remember that lesson [of the Holocaust], for we were founded as a nation of openness to people of all beliefs. And so we must remain. Our very unity has been strengthened by our pluralism. We establish no religion in this country, we command no worship, we mandate no belief, nor will we ever. Church and state are, and must remain, separate. All are free to believe or not believe, all are free to practice a faith or not, and those who believe are free, and should be free, to speak of and act on their belief.”
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to Temple Hillel and Community Leaders in Valley Stream (26 October 1984)