The whole history of the world is summed up in the fact that, when nations are strong, they are not always just, and when they wish to be just, they are no longer strong.

You can't let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you.

Democracy is...the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.

Those of us who have been privileged to receive education, skills, and experiences and even power must be role models for the next generation of leadership.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.

Better to die fighting for freedom than be a prisoner all the days of your life.

Getting people to like you is merely the other side of liking them.

I'm not a member of any organized party, I'm a Democrat.

Democracy is the road to socialism.

More men have been elected between Sundown and Sunup than ever were elected between Sunup and Sundown.

The lady's not for turning.

How fortunate for leaders that men do not think.

Diplomacy is the art of saying 'nice doggie' until you can find a rock.

Power over others is weakness disguised as strength.

I don't think marriage is a civil right, but I think that being able to transfer property is a civil right.

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.

A government afraid of its citizens is a Democracy. Citizens afraid of government is tyranny!

Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.

A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.