Ronald Reagan Quotes (308 Quotes)

The Democrats may remember their lines, but how quickly they forget the lessons of the past. I have witnessed five major wars in my lifetime, and I know how swiftly storm clouds can gather on a peaceful horizon. The next time a Saddam Hussein takes over Kuwait, or North Korea brandishes a nuclear weapon, will we be ready to respond In the end, it all comes down to leadership, and that is what this country is looking for now. (RNC Annual Gala, Feb. 3, 1994)

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

No arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.

When I've heard all I need to make a decision, I don't take a vote. I make a decision.

Every new day begins with possibilities. It's up to us to fill it with thethings that move us toward progress and peace.

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

It's silly talking about how many years we will have to spend in the jungles of Vietnam when we could pave the whole country and put parking stripes on it and still be home by Christmas.

Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.

We cannot stop at the foothills when Everest lies ahead.

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

No matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting.

Unlike Bush, Reagan did his White House radio broadcasts live, a habit that got him into trouble in 1984, when he made a now-infamous joke during a sound check into an open microphone. 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.

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

I've often wondered how some people in positions of this kind . . . manage without having had any acting experience.

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

Many Americans today, just as they did 200 years ago, feel burdened, stifled, and sometimes even oppressed by government that has grown too large, too bureaucratic, too wasteful, too unresponsive, too uncaring about people and their problems. I believe we can embark on a new age of reform in this country and an era of national renewal, an era that will reorder the relationship between citizen and government, that will make government again responsive to people, that will revitalize the values of family, work, and neighborhood and that will restore our private and independent social institutions.

History shows that when the taxes of a nation approach about 20 of the people's income, there begins to be a lack of respect for government. . . . When it reaches 25, there comes an increase in lawlessness.

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.

Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

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

Don't be afraid to see what you see.

We think there is a parallel between the Federal involvement in education and the decline in quality over recent years.

The Soviet Union would remain a one-party nation even if an opposition party were permitted -- because everyone would join that party.

You can tell alot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans.

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

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

Some may try and tell us that this is the end of an era. But what they overlook is that in America, every day is a new beginning, and every sunset is merely the latest milestone on a voyage that never ends. For this is the land that has never become, but is always in the act of becoming. Emerson was right America is the land of tomorrow.

If adults want to take such chances (with marijuana) that is their business

Most of my dreams came true.

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.

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

I consider all proposals for government action with an open mind before voting no.

...there is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit.

It's time we reduced the federal budget and left the family budget alone.

Some spend their entire lives wondering if they have made a difference in this world. The Marines don't have that problem.

Nations do not mistrust each other because they are armed they are armed because they mistrust each other.

To grasp and hold a vision, that is the very essence of successful leadership - not only on the movie set where I learned it, but everywhere.

If illegal actions were undertaken, those who did so will be brought to justice.

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.

America is too great for small dreams.

Are you willing to spend time studying the issues, making yourself aware, and then conveying that information to family and friends Will you resist the temptation to get a government handout for your community Realize that the doctor's fight against socialized medicine is your fight. We can't socialize the doctors without socializing the patients. Recognize that government invasion of public power is eventually an assault upon your own business. 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. (October 27, 1964)

The very key to our success has been our ability, foremost among nations, to preserve our lasting values by making change work for us rather than against us.

Without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure.

My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose - somehow we win out.

Trust, but verify.

Let friend and foe alike know that America has the muscle to back up its words.

Some of your countrymen were unable to distinguish between their native dislike for war and the stainless patriotism of those who suffered its scars. But there has been a rethinking and now we can say to you, and say as a nation, thank you for your courage.

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

I believe that communism is another sad, bizarre chapter in human history whose last pages even now are being written. I believe this because the source of our strength in the quest for human freedom is not material, but spiritual. And because it knows no limitation, it must terrify and ultimately triumph over those who would enslave their fellow men.

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