Ronald Reagan Quotes:

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.

Topics: Suicide, Care, Simply Love, Presidents Day, Suicidal Thoughts

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1983). “A Time for Choosing: The Speeches of Ronald Reagan, 1961-1982”, Gateway Books

Topics: Strength, Peace, Children, Independence And Freedom, Inspirational Freedom

Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem. ... Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it. ... The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.

Topics: Moving, Government, Views, Income Tax, Strong Economy

If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

source: - Remarks at a Dallas Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, delivered 23 August 1984 at Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX

Topics: Inspirational, God, Country, Inspirational Patriotic, Inspiring Presidential

It's hard, when you're up to your armpits in alligators, to remember you came here to drain the swamp.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Government, Remember You, Remembers You, Armpits, Alligators

Either you will control your government, or government will control you.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1993). “Actor, Ideologue, Politician: The Public Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, Greenwood Publishing Group

Topics: Government

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Government, Nine, Helping, Learning English, One Nation Under God

We must never remain silent in the face of bigotry. We must condemn those who seek to divide us. In all quarters and at all times, we must teach tolerance and denounce racism, anti-Semitism and all ethnic or religious bigotry wherever they exist as unacceptable evils. We have no place for haters in America -- none, whatsoever.

Topics: Hater, Religious, America, Anti Semitism, Condemning

It's not that liberals aren't smart, it's just that so much of what they know isn't so

Topics: Smart, Knows

When a business or an individual spends more than it makes, it goes bankrupt. When government does it, it sends you the bill. And when government does it for 40 years, the bill comes in two ways: higher taxes and inflation. Make no mistake about it, inflation is a tax and not by accident.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1993). “Actor, Ideologue, Politician: The Public Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, Greenwood Publishing Group

Topics: Mistake, Government, Years

A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.

Topics: Borders, Migration, Nations, Legal Immigration, Illegal Immigration

We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.

source: - Ronald Reagan's Speech at the Republican National Convention, Platform Committee Meeting, Miami, Florida, July 31, 1968.

Topics: Inspirational, Motivational, Business, Individual Responsibility, Individuals And Society

The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.

Topics: Inspirational, Leadership, Wisdom, Top Management, Leaders Motivational

Now back in 1927 an American socialist, Norman Thomas, six times candidate for president on the Socialist Party ticket, said the American people would never vote for socialism. But he said under the name of liberalism the American people will adopt every fragment of the socialist program.

source: - Radio Address on Socialized Medicine, recorded circa 1961

Topics: Party, Names, People, Socialist Party

If we lose freedom here, there is no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth.

source: - A Time for Choosing (aka "The Speech"), Air date 27 October 1964, Los Angeles, CA

Topics: Freedom, President, Earth, Last Stand

Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.

source: - Ronald Reagan, Michael Reagan (2016). “The Last Best Hope: The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, p.7, Humanix Books

Topics: Freedom, People, Presidential, Fragile Things

I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.

Topics: Funny, Pro Life, Abortion, Against Abortion, Pro Abortion

If more government is the answer, then it was a really stupid question.

Topics: Stupid, Government, Answers, Really Stupid, Stupid Questions

How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Business, Government, Political, Soviet, Political Jokes

And let us never forget that in honoring our flag, we honor the American men and women who have courageously fought and died for it over the last 200 years, patriots who set an ideal above any consideration of self. Our flag flies free today because of their sacrifice.

Topics: Sacrifice, Men, Self

Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches”, p.99, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Strength, Peace, War, Unafraid

Because you won't get gun control by disarming law abiding citizens. There's only one way to get real gun control: Disarm the thugs and the criminals, lock them up, and if you don't actually throw away the key, at least lose it for a long time.

source: - "Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan".

Topics: Real, Gun, Thug, Law Abiding Citizen, Controllers

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

Topics: Funny, Business, Military, Learning English, Big Government

Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.

Topics: Running, Peace, War, Ingenuity

There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.

Topics: Accomplishment, Achievement, Rewards And Recognition

We must be cautious in claiming God is on our side. I think the real question we must answer is, are we on His side?

source: - Address to the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, delivered 30 January 1984, Sheraton Washington Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Topics: Real, Thinking, Answers, Real Questions, Be Cautious

If not us, who? And if not now, when?

source: - Second Inaugural Address, delivered 21 January 1985, Rotunda of the Capitol, Washington D.C.

Topics: War, Cold, Cold War

For the average American, the message is clear. Liberalism is no longer the answer. It is the problem.

Topics: Average, Answers, Messages

Almost all the worlds' constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which We the People tell the government what it is allowed to do. We the People are free.

source: - Farewell Address to the Nation, delivered 11 January 1989, Washington D.C.

Topics: Government, People, World

Sometimes when I'm faced with an atheist, I am tempted to invite him to the greatest gourmet dinner that one could ever serve, and when we have finished eating that magnificent dinner, to ask him if he believes there's a cook.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches”, p.422, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Atheist, Believe, Dinner

To those who cite the first amendment as reason for excluding God from more and more of our institutions and everyday life, may I just say: The first amendment of the Constitution was not written to protect the people of this country from religious values; it was written to protect religious values from government tyranny.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Country, Religious, Government, Pendulums, Religious Values

One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people has been by way of medicine.

source: - Radio Address on Socialized Medicine, recorded circa 1961

Topics: Medicine, People, Way, Socialized Medicine, Medical Care

Too often character assassination has replaced debate in principle here in Washington. Destroy someone's reputation, and you don't have to talk about what he stands for.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Character, Principles, Reputation, Character Assassination, Assassination

If some among you fear taking a stand because you are afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even government, recognize that you are just feeding the crocodile hoping he'll eat you last.

source: - Ronald Reagan, Michael Reagan (2016). “The Last Best Hope: The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, p.5, Humanix Books

Topics: Government, Presidential, Lasts, Crocodiles, Reprisal

Every new day begins with possibilities.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1985). “The Geneva summit: a fresh start”

Topics: New Day, Possibility, New Possibilities

I received a letter just before I left office from a man. I don't know why he chose to write it, but I'm glad he did. He wrote that you can go to live in France, but you can't become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Italy, but you can't become a German, an Italian. He went through Turkey, Greece, Japan and other countries. But he said anyone, from any corner of the world, can come to live in the United States and become an American.

Topics: Country, Writing, Men, Other Countries, Frenchmen

Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.

Topics: Biblical, Godly, Men, Public School, One Nation Under God

I believe now, as I alway have, that America's strength is in 'We the People.'

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1991). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Believe, America, People

But the simple truth is that we've lost control of our own borders, and no nation can do that and survive.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1984). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Simple, Immigration, Borders

Never let the things you can't do, stop you from doing what you can.

Topics: Inspirational, Change, Inspiring

The national Democratic leadership is going so far left, they've left America. Don't let them bury the American dream in their graveyard of gloom and envy.

Topics: Dream, America, Envy, Democratic Leadership, American Politics

Many a man has failed because he had his wishbone where his backbone should have been.

Topics: Men, Should Have, Backbone, Firmness, Wordplay

We could say the government spend like drunken sailors, but that would be unfair to drunken sailors, because the sailors are spending their own money.

Topics: Government, Would Be, Sailor

I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress.

Topics: Funny, Sarcastic, Running, Funny Sarcastic, Ten Commandments

Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15.

Topics: Funny, Business, Party

When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.

Topics: Business, Light, Politics, One Nation Under God, Big Government

The future doesn't belong to the light-hearted. It belongs to the brave.

Topics: Inspirational, Strength, Light, Space Shuttle Challenger, Faint Hearted

Remember that every government service, every offer of government - financed security, is paid for in the loss of personal freedom... In the days to come, whenever a voice is raised telling you to let the government do it, analyze very carefully to see whether the suggested service is worth the personal freedom which you must forgo in return for such service.

Topics: Loss, Government, Voice, Days To Come, Government Service

The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America - our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal.

Topics: Spiritual, Country, Healing, Spiritual Renewal, Turn To God

I believe the best social program is a job.

Topics: Jobs, Believe, Social, Social Programs

Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.

Topics: Love, Peace, War, Make Peace Not War, International Peace Day

Terrorism is the preferred weapon of weak and evil men.

Topics: Men, Evil, Weapons, Evil Man

Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.

Topics: Veterans Day, Marine, Differences, Inspirational Military

Without God, there is no virtue because there is no prompting of the conscience... without God, there is a coarsening of the society; without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure.

source: - Remarks at a Dallas Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, delivered 23 August 1984 at Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX

Topics: God, Long, Democracy, Without God, One Nation Under God

The American dream is not that every man must be level with every other man. The American dream is that every man must be free to become whatever God intends he should become.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1993). “Actor, Ideologue, Politician: The Public Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, Greenwood Publishing Group

Topics: Dream, Freedom, Men

We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.

Topics: Inspirational, Motivational, Inspiring, Social Good, Inspirational Presidential

Extreme taxation, excessive controls, oppressive government competition with business, frustrated minorities and forgotten Americans are not the products of free enterprise. They are the residue of centralized bureaucracy, of government by a self-anointed elite.

source: - Ronald Reagan, Michael Reagan (2016). “The Last Best Hope: The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, p.62, Humanix Books

Topics: Government, Self, Competition, Oppressive Governments, Free Enterprise

I've always believed that a lot of the trouble in the world would disappear if we were talking to each other instead of about each other.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1984). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Inspirational, Talking, World

Nothing lasts longer than a temporary government program.

Topics: Government, Lasts, Program, Government Programs

The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.

source: - A Time for Choosing (aka "The Speech"), Air date 27 October 1964, Los Angeles, CA

Topics: Friends, Military, Political

If you serve a child a rotten hamburger in America, federal, state, and local agencies will investigate you, summon you, close you down, whatever. But if you provide a child with a rotten education, nothing happens, except that you're liable to be given more money to do it with. Well, we've discovered that money alone isn't the answer.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1990). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Education, Children, Agency

Surround yourself with great people; delegate authority; get out of the way

Topics: Motivational, Inspiring, Leadership

We're told about a woman's right to control her own body. But doesn't the unborn child have a higher right, and that is to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1990). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Children, Pursuit Of Happiness, Liberty, Life Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness, Unborn Child

The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally - not a 20 percent traitor.

Topics: Time, Interesting, Allies

It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.

Topics: Funny, Hilarious, Military, Resemblance, Resemblance Is

Socialists ignore the side of man that is the spirit. They can provide you shelter, fill your belly with bacon and beans, treat you when you're ill, all the things guaranteed to a prisoner or a slave. They don't understand that we also dream.

Topics: Dream, Men, Shelter

We must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. It is a weapon that we as Americans do have. Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism and prey upon their neighbors. As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it; We will not surrender for it, now or ever. We are Americans.

source: - First Inaugural Address, delivered 20 January 1981

Topics: Sacrifice, Men, Practice, Adversaries

In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden.

source: - First Inaugural Address, delivered 20 January 1981

Topics: Believe, Government, Self

Stick to your dreams and determine that you're going to make them come true.

Topics: Dream, Sticks, Determine

We should measure welfare's success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added.

Topics: Success, Government Welfare, People

If you're explaining, you're losing.

Topics: Funny, Political, Losing

Government Steals from the needy and gives to the greedy

Topics: Government, Giving, Stealing

California produces 40% of America's fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts - the kind you eat. We have had a bumper crop of the other variety, too.

Topics: Vegetables, Nuts, California, Bumper

Anyone who seeks success or greatness should first forget about both and seek only the truth. The rest will follow.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches”, p.94, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Greatness, Firsts, Forget

Status quo, you know, is Latin for 'the mess we're in'.

source: - "Personal Quotes/ Biography". www.imdb.com.

Topics: Business, Latin, Political, Challenging Status Quo, Challenging The Status Quo

We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.

source: - Ronald Reagan, Michael Reagan (2016). “The Last Best Hope: The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, p.143, Humanix Books

Topics: Weakness, Aggression, Peace Through Strength, Strength Weakness

When government gets too big, freedom is lost. Government is supposed to be the servant. But when a government can tax the people with no limit or restraint on what the government can take, then the government has become the master.

Topics: Government, People, Limits

Two Soviets . . . were talking to each other. And one of them asked, "What's the difference between the Soviet Constitution and the United States Constitution?" And the other one said, "That's easy. The Soviet Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of gathering. The American Constitution guarantees freedom after speech and freedom after gathering."

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Freedom, Two, Differences, American Constitution

You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order --or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path.

Topics: Dream, Freedom, Sacrifice, Totalitarianism

Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them.

Topics: Government, Politics, Problem, Rearranging

Individual liberty depends upon keeping government under control.

Topics: Government, Liberty, Individual

There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Wall, Mind, Progress, Human Progress, Human Mind

The one thing our Founding Fathers could not foresee - they were farmers, professional men, businessmen giving of their time and effort to an idea that became a country - was a nation governed by professional politicians who had an interest in getting re-elected. They probably envisioned a fellow serving a couple of hitches and then eagerly looking forward to getting back to the farm.

Topics: Country, Couple, Father, Serving

Do what's right and you'll please some of the people and astound the rest.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “The uncommon wisdom of Ronald Reagan: a portrait in his own words”

Topics: Inspirational, People, Please

I do not believe in taking away the right of the citizen for sporting, for hunting and so forth, or for home defense. But I do believe that an AK-47, a machine gun, is not a sporting weapon or needed for defense of a home.

Topics: Believe, Home, Gun, Ak 47, Pro Gun Control

I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.

source: - Ronald Reagan, Michael Reagan (2016). “The Last Best Hope: The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, p.226, Humanix Books

Topics: Independent, Men, Law, Limited Government, Big Government

We in the United States, above all, must remember that lesson, 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.

source: - Ronald Reagan's Remarks to Members of the Congregation of Temple Hillel and Jewish Community Leaders in Valley Stream, New York, www.reaganlibrary.gov. October 26, 1984.

Topics: Country, Believe, Pluralism Is, Pluralism, Church And State

Illegal immigrants in considerable numbers have become productive members of our society and are a basic part of our work force. Those who have established equities in the United States should be recognized and accorded legal status. At the same time, in so doing, we must not encourage illegal immigration.

source: - Reagan, Ronald (1982). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan, 1981”, p.677, Best Books on

Topics: Numbers, Immigration, United States

People who think a tax boost will cure inflation are the same ones who believe another drink will cure a hangover.

Topics: Believe, Hangover, Thinking

We're Americans, and we have a rendezvous with destiny . . . No people who have ever lived on this earth have fought harder, paid a higher price for freedom, or done more to advance the dignity of man than Americans.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1993). “Actor, Ideologue, Politician: The Public Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, Greenwood Publishing Group

Topics: Destiny, Men, People, Rendezvous

God, the source of all knowledge, should never have been expelled from our children's classrooms.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1984). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Children, Scary, Classroom

If you can't summarize an issue on one page, you don't understand the issue well enough.

Topics: Issues, Pages, Enough

Are you better off today than you were four years ago?

source: - "Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches".

Topics: Years, Four, Politics

We are never defeated unless we give up on God.

Topics: God, Giving Up, Christian Inspirational, One Nation Under God

I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life.

source: - Oldiees Publishing, Walter Mondale, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adlai Stevenson (2015). “20th Century American History Book 3 - AUDIO EDITION OF THE UNITED STATES STUDIES FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS, CHILDREN(KIDS) AND YOUNG ADULTS: Including Subjects on The Korean War, The Cold War, The Vietnam War, The Civil Rights Movement, Watergate & more”, p.68, Oldiees Publishing

Topics: Inspirational, Leadership, Heart

You can't be for big government, big taxes and big bureaucracy and still be for the little guy.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches”, p.398, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Government, Guy, Voting, Big Government

It's been written that the most sublime figure in American history was George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. He personified a people who knew that it was not enough to depend on their own courage and goodness, that they must also seek help from God - their Father and preserver. Where did we begin to lose sight of that noble beginning, of our conviction that standards of right and wrong do exist and must be lived up to? Do we really think that we can have it both ways, that God will protect us in a time of crisis even as we turn away from him in our day-to-day life?

Topics: God, Father, Thinking, Times Of Crisis, Valley Forge

Our nation will prosper or decline in direct proportion to our selection of leaders who are guided by the Holy Spirit. If we fail to select Godly leaders our destiny will surely be as that of the Roman Empire.

Topics: Godly, Destiny, Leader, Roman Empire

I'm not a politician by profession. I am a citizen who decided I had to be personally involved.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1983). “A Time for Choosing: The Speeches of Ronald Reagan, 1961-1982”, Gateway Books

Topics: Citizens, Politician, Profession, Candidacy

[A woman waiting for him in the Kremlin asked Gobachev] "Was communism invented by a politician or a scientist?" [He replied] "Well, a politician." She said, "That explains it. The scientist would have tried it on mice first."

Topics: Science, Waiting, Firsts, Kremlin

Welfare's purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence.

source: - Los Angeles Times, January 7, 1970.

Topics: President, Needs, Purpose, Social Programs

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.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches”, p.166, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Kings, Men, White

Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again

source: - Ronald Reagan, Michael Reagan (2016). “The Last Best Hope: The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, p.7, Humanix Books

Topics: Lost, Fragile Things, Known

There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.

source: - Kiron K. Skinner, Ronald Reagan, Annelise Anderson, Martin Anderson (2004). “Reagan: A Life In Letters”, p.61, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Love, Marriage, Wedding, Marriage Advice, Marriage Problems

I thought the function of the government was to promote the general welfare, not to provide it.

Topics: Government, Welfare, Function, General Welfare

Government is never more dangerous than when our desire to have it help us blinds us to its great power to harm us.

source: - 1980 Republican National Convention Acceptance Address, delivered 17 July 1980, Detroit, MI

Topics: Government, Desire, Helping

The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we - in a less final, less heroic way - be willing to give of ourselves.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Memorial Day, Sacrifice, Giving

We are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan)., Ronald Reagan, United States. Office of the Federal Register (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Forever, Might, Given

Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things. It is the continuing revolution of the marketplace. It is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek solutions. It is the right to put forth an idea, scoffed at by the experts, and watch it catch fire among the people. It is the right to follow your dream, or stick to your conscience even if you're the only one in a sea of doubters.

source: - Moscow State University Address, delivered 31 May 1988, Moscow, Russia

Topics: Dream, Freedom, Ideas

When our Founding Fathers passed the First Amendment, they sought to protect churches from government interference. They never intended to construct a wall of hostility between government and the concept of religious belief itself.

source: - Remarks at the Annual Convention of the the National Association of Evangelicals, delivered 8 March 1983, Orlando, Florida

Topics: Religious, Wall, Father

If the family goes, so goes our civilization.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Family, Civilization, Ifs

America was founded by people who believe that God was their rock of safety. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it's all right to keep asking if we're on His side.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1984). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Believe, Thinking, Rocks, Be Cautious

Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan)., Ronald Reagan, United States. Office of the Federal Register (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Bible, God, Religious, Bible Reading

A small nation, faced with the denial of its sovereignty — indeed, of its very existence — reminded us that the price of freedom is high but never so costly as the loss of freedom.

source: - "The Creative Society: Some Comments on Problems Facing America".

Topics: Loss, May, Price Of Freedom

There is no security, no safety, in the appeasement of evil.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1989). “Speaking my mind: selected speeches”, Simon & Schuster

Topics: Safety, Evil, Appeasement

There are many well-meaning people today who work at placing an economic floor beneath all of us so that no one shall exist below a certain level or standard of living, and certainly we don't quarrel with this. But look more closely and you may find that all too often these well-meaning people are building a ceiling above which no one shall be permitted to climb and between the two are pressing us all into conformity, into a mold of standardized mediocrity.

Topics: Two, People, Ceilings

A nation without borders is no nation at all.

Topics: Borders, Nations

Freedom is always just one generation away from extinction. We don't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. We have to fight for it and protect it and then hand it to them, so that they shall do the same, or we're going to find ourselves spending our sunset years telling our children and our children's children, about a time in America, back in the day, when men and women were free.

Topics: Children, Sunset, Fighting

Our National Motto - 'In God We Trust' - was not chosen lightly. It reflects a basic recognition that there is a divine authority in the universe to which this nation owes homage.

source: - Reagan, Ronald (1982). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan, 1981”, p.268, Best Books on

Topics: God, Recognition, Motto, God We Trust

I didn't leave the Democratic party; the Democratic party left me.

Topics: War, Party, Cold, Republican Party, Democratic Party

If we get the federal government out of the classroom, maybe we'll get God back in.

Topics: Military, Government, Classroom

Doverey, no proverey - Trust but verify.

Topics: Presidential, Verify

Americans are hungering to feel proud and patriotic again.

Topics: War, Patriotic, Proud

Inside the Bible's pages lie the answers to all the problems that mankind has ever known. I hope Americans will read and study the Bible.

Topics: Bible, God, Religious, Firm Beliefs

Public servants say, always with the best of intentions, 'What greater service we could render if only we had a little more money and a little more power.' But the truth is that outside of its legitimate function, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector.

source: - Ronald Reagan, Michael Reagan (2016). “The Last Best Hope: The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan”, p.4, Humanix Books

Topics: Government, Doe, Littles, Public Servants

Our natural, inalienable rights are now considered to be a dispensation from government, and freedom has never been so fragile, so close to slipping from our grasp as it is at this moment.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches”, p.33, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Rights, Government, Liberty, Inalienable Rights

No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!

source: - Television broadcast, 27 Oct. 1964

Topics: Government, Political, Voting, Government Bureaucracy, Government Programs

People are tired of wasteful government programs and welfare chiselers, and they are angry about the constant spiral of taxes and government regulations, arrogant bureaucrats, and public officials who think all of mankind's problems can be solved by throwing the taxpayers dollars at them.

Topics: Tired, Thinking, Government, Public Officials, Government Programs

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.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Political, Liberty, Dollars, Income Tax, Tax Day

When I took the oath of office, I pledged loyalty to only one special interest group - ‘We the people’.

source: - Economic Recovery Address to a Joint Session of Congress, delivered day 28 April 1981

Topics: Loyalty, Oath Of Office, People, Special Interest Groups, Interest Groups

There are no limits to growth and human progress when men and women are free to follow their dreams.

source: - Second Inaugural Address, delivered 21 January 1985, Rotunda of the Capitol, Washington D.C.

Topics: Dream, Men, Growth, Human Progress

Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: 'We the people.' 'We the people' tell the government what to do, it doesn't tell us. 'We the people' are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which 'We the people' tell the government what it is allowed to do. 'We the people' are free.

source: - Farewell Address to the Nation, delivered 11 January 1989, Washington D.C.

Topics: Government, People, Car

Self-defense is not only our right; it is our duty.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches”, p.288, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Self, Defense, Self Defense

Preservation of our environment is not a liberal or conservative challenge, it's common sense.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1984). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Common Sense, Challenges, Conservative

I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves.

Topics: Believe, Government, Protect

Conservatives were brought up to hate deficits and justifiably so. We've long thought there are two things in Washington that are unbalanced - the budget and the liberals.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Hate, Two, Long, Unbalanced

Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty.

source: - "War and Conflict Quotations" eds. Michael & Jean Thomsett, McFarland, (p. 105), 1997.

Topics: Patriotic, Political, Enemy, Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2

In 1939 Winston Churchill, describing the 5000-mile peaceful border dividing Canada and the United States, said, 'That long frontier from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, guarded only by neighborly respect and honorable obligations, is an example to every country and a pattern for the future of the world.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Country, Ocean, Long, Canada And The United States, Pacific Ocean

If we listen to our hearts, believe in ourselves, and pull together, nothing can stand in our way.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan)., Ronald Reagan, United States. Office of the Federal Register (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Believe, Heart, Together

Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.

source: - Ronald Reagan, Bill Adler (1981). “The Reagan wit”, Jameson Books

Topics: Funny, Baby, Military, Sense Of Responsibility, Big Government

In 1992, the federal Government actually issued more work authorizations to immigrants and temporary foreign workers than the net number of new jobs created by our economy. Something is fundamentally wrong when we have millions of American citizens and legal residents begging for jobs, and yet we are admitting thousands and thousands of immigrants a year with virtually no consideration to our employment needs or their employment skills.

Topics: Jobs, Government, Years, Residents

Money can't buy happiness, but it will certainly get you a better class of memories.

Topics: Money, Memories, Class, Money And Happiness, Money Cant Buy Happiness

The most confident person in any transaction ALWAYS introduces themselves first.

Topics: Firsts, Introducing, Transactions

The freedom of thought and action we Americans enjoy today seems as natural as the air we breathe. But there is a danger we may take this freedom for granted. We must never forget it was bought for us at a great price. The brave and resourceful Americans whose sacrifices gained our Independence and preserved it for more than 200 years against formidable foes have set an example of unflinching loyalty to the ideal of liberty and justice for all.

Topics: Loyalty, Sacrifice, Justice For All, Liberty And Justice For All, Resourceful

All great change in America begins at the dinner table.

source: - Farewell Address to the Nation, delivered 11 January 1989, Washington D.C.

Topics: Change, America, Presidential, Change Is Good, Dinner Table

We've gone astray from first principles. We've lost sight of the rule that individual freedom and ingenuity are at the very core of everything that we've accomplished. Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.

source: - Reagan, Ronald (1982). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan, 1981”, p.337, Best Books on

Topics: Running, Government, Sight, Individual Freedom, Ingenuity

A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours.

source: - "Ronald Reagan: A Man True to His Word".

Topics: Funny, Depression, Witty, Funny Jokes, Economic Depression

My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes.

source: - Remarks during radio microphone test, 11 Aug. 1984

Topics: Funny, Humor, Russia, Bombing

America is too great for small dreams.

Topics: Dream, 4th Of July, America, Inspirational Presidential, Small Dreams

It was leadership here at home that gave us strong American influence abroad, and the collapse of imperial Communism. Great nations have responsibilities to lead, and we should always be cautious of those who would lower our profile, because they might just wind up lowering our flag.

source: - Remarks on the Occasion of 83rd Birthday Gala, delivered 3 February 1994

Topics: Leadership, Strong, Home

There are only two things that the liberals don't understand: the things that change and the things that don't.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “The uncommon wisdom of Ronald Reagan: a portrait in his own words”

Topics: Two, Two Things

There is no love like a mother’s - she who carries the child that God knits in the womb, she who nourishes and guides, she who teaches and inspires, she who gives of her heart and soul and self for the good and the happiness of her children and her family.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Mother, Children, Heart, Like A Mother

I am very proud to be called a pig. It stands for pride, integrity and guts.

Topics: Integrity, Pride, Pigs

There is purpose and worth to each and every life.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1998). “A Shining City: The Legacy of Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Triumph, Purpose

Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us in our time, that in our time we did everything that could be done. We finished the race; we kept them free; we kept the faith.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1984). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Faith, Race, Done

To say Congress is spending like drunken sailors is an insult to drunken sailors.

Topics: Political, Politics, Sailor

For the first time ever, everything is in place for the Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ.

Topics: Scary, Battle, Firsts, Armageddon

A hippie is someone who looks like Tarzan, walks like Jane and smells like Cheetah.

source: - "Character: Ronald Reagan". "The Tripper", www.imdb.com. 2006.

Topics: Funny, Anniversary, Hippie, Cheetahs, Hippi

I have seen the rise of fascism and communism. Both philosophies glorify the arbitrary power of the state... But both theories fail. Both deny those God-given liberties that are the inalienable right of each person on this planet, indeed, they deny the existence of God.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Philosophy, Liberty, Arbitrary

To this day, America is still the abiding alternative to tyranny. This is our purpose in the world, nothing more and nothing less.

Topics: War, America, Abiding

The federal government has taken too much tax money from the people, too much authority from the states, and too much liberty with the Constitution.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches”, p.424, Simon and Schuster

Topics: Taken, Government, People

Government should uphold-and not undermine-those institutions which are custodians of the very values upon which civilization is founded: religion, education and, above all, family.

Topics: Patriotic, Civilization, Government

Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out.

Topics: Motivational, Leadership, Business, Top Management, Surround Yourself With Good People

You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth.

source: - A Time for Choosing (aka "The Speech"), Air date 27 October 1964, Los Angeles, CA

Topics: Children, Destiny, Men, Thousand Years, Rendezvous

Middle age is when you're faced with two temptations and you choose the one that will get you home by nine o'clock.

source: - Ronald Reagan (2004). “The uncommon wisdom of Ronald Reagan: a portrait in his own words”

Topics: Birthday, Home, Two, Middle Ages

Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.

source: - "Personal Quotes/ Biography". www.imdb.com.

Topics: Life, Strength, Peace

It doesn't require expropriation or confiscation of private property or business to impose socialism on a people. What does it mean whether you hold the deed or the title to your business or property if the government holds the power of life and death over that business or property?

source: - A Time for Choosing (aka "The Speech"), Air date 27 October 1964, Los Angeles, CA

Topics: Mean, Government, People

More than a decade ago, a Supreme Court decision literally wiped off the books of fifty states statutes protecting the rights of unborn children. Abortion on demand now takes the lives of up to 1.5 million unborn children a year. Human life legislation ending this tragedy will some day pass the Congress, and you and I must never rest until it does. Unless and until it can be proven that the unborn child is not a living entity, then its right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness must be protected.

source: - Remarks at the Annual Convention of the the National Association of Evangelicals, delivered 8 March 1983, Orlando, Florida

Topics: Children, Book, Pursuit Of Happiness, Life Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness, Court Decision

Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement.

Topics: Funny, Laughter, Patriotic

There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.

Topics: Business, Patriotic, Intelligence Services, Economic Growth, Business Growth

The best social reform program in the world is a job.

Topics: Jobs, Reform, World, Social Reform

The NRA believes America's laws were made to be obeyed and that our Constitutional liberties are just as important today as 200 years ago. And by the way, the Constitution does not say Government shall decree the right to keep and bear arms. The Constitution says 'The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan)., Ronald Reagan, United States. Office of the Federal Register (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Believe, America, Government, Nra

Families cannot prosper and keep America strong if government becomes a Goliath that preys upon their wealth, usurps their rights, and crushes their spirit.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan)., Ronald Reagan, United States. Office of the Federal Register (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Crush, Strong, Rights, Goliath

Republicans believe the best way to assure prosperity is to generate more jobs. The Democrats believe in more welfare.

Topics: Jobs, Believe, Politics

This is a matter of vital importance to the public safety ... While we recognize that assault-weapon legislation will not stop all assault-weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals.

Topics: Gun, Assault Weapons, Dry Up, Pro Gun Control, Public Safety

Our liberty springs from and depends upon an abiding faith in God.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Spring, Abiding Faith, Liberty

A truly successful army is one that, because of its strength and ability and dedication, will not be called upon to fight, for no one will dare to provoke it.

source: - RONALD REAGAN: (1984). “A MAN TRUE TO HIS WORD”

Topics: Fighting, Successful, Army, National Defense

There are no degrees of honesty.

Topics: Honesty, Degrees

Certain forms of ammunition have no legitimate sporting, recreational, or self-defense use and thus should be prohibited.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Gun, Self, Defense

The difference between them and us is that we want to check government spending and they want to spend government checks.

source: - Ronald Reagan, Bill Adler (1981). “The Reagan wit”, Jameson Books

Topics: Government, Differences, Political, Government Spending

Liberals are people who think that being tough on crime means longer suspended sentences.

Topics: War, Mean, Thinking

Revenues should be increased not by increasing the tax rates on the individual but by building a bigger economy for everybody.

Topics: Building, Economy, Individual

I can't claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don't know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Memorial Day, Home, Land, Land Of The Free, National Anthem

Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing.

Topics: Peace, War, Rights

I'm convinced that today the majority of Americans want what those first Americans wanted: A better life for themselves and their children; a minimum of government authority.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1983). “A Time for Choosing: The Speeches of Ronald Reagan, 1961-1982”, Gateway Books

Topics: Children, Good Life, Happy Life, Republicanism

Isn't it strange that ... people build walls to keep an enemy out, and there's only one part of the world and one philosophy where they have to build walls to keep their people in

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Wall, Philosophy, People

There are those, of course, who claim we must give up freedom in exchange for economic progress. Well, pardon me, but anyone trying to sell you that line is no better than a three-card-trick man. One thing becoming more clear every day is that freedom and progress go hand in hand. Throughout the developing world, people are rejecting socialism because they see that it doesn't empower people, it impoverishes them.

Topics: Giving Up, Men, Hands, Card Tricks, Economic Progress

The same government that requires a taxpaying citizen to document every statement on his tax return decrees that questioning a welfare applicant demeans and humiliates him.

Topics: Government, Citizens, Return, Tax Returns

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

source: - Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate, delivered 12 June 1987, West Berlin

Topics: Wall, Patriotic, Europe, Inspirational Presidential, Soviet Union

I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and heart to get there. That's how I saw it, and see it still.

source: - Farewell Address to the Nation, delivered 11 January 1989, Washington D.C.

Topics: Wall, Ocean, Blessed, City Walls

An old Russian woman goes into Kremlin, gets an audience with Mikhail Gorbachev and says, In America anyone can go to the White House, walk up to Reagan's desk and say, 'I don't like the way you are running the country.' Gorbachev replied, You can do the same thing in the Soviet Union. You can go into the Kremlin, walk up to my desk and say 'I don't like the way Reagan is running his country.'

Topics: Running, Country, War, Kremlin, Gorbachev

The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away.

Topics: Inspirational, Success, Business, Big Government, Government And Business

Peace is more than just an absence of war. True peace is justice, true peace is freedom, and true peace dictates the recognition of human rights.

source: - United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Freedom, War, Rights

You can’t tax business. Business doesn’t pay taxes. It collects taxes.

Topics: Business, Pay, Taxes

Everyone is a liberal until they have something to conserve. Then they become a conservative.

Topics: Conservative

God's miracles are to be found in nature itself; the wind and waves, the wood that becomes a tree - all of these are explained biologically, but behind them is the hand of God.

Topics: Nature, Hands, Wind, Hands Of God

Today we did what we had to do. They counted on America to be passive. They counted wrong.

Topics: Memorial Day, Military, War

Abraham Lincoln recognized that we could not survive as a free land when some men could decide that others were not fit to be free and should therefore be slaves. Likewise, we cannot survive as a free nation when some men decide that others are not fit to live and should be abandoned to abortion or infanticide.

Topics: Men, Land, Abortion, Infanticide, Right To Life

Here's my strategy on the Cold War: we win, they lose.

Topics: Military, War, Winning, Cold War

Our enemies may be irrational, even outright insane, driven by nationalism, religion, ethnicity or ideology. They do not fear the United States for its diplomatic skills or the number of automobiles and software programs it produces. They respect only the firepower of our tanks, planes and helicopter gunships.

source: - Ronald Reagan (1998). “A Shining City: The Legacy of Ronald Reagan”

Topics: Skills, Numbers, Ethnicity