“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.”
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”
“In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves… self-discipline with all of them came first.”
“It is understanding that gives us an ability to have peace. When we understand the other fellow’s viewpoint, and he understands ours, then we can sit down and work out our differences.”
“Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”
“I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.”
“When even one American – who has done nothing wrong – is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth – then all Americans are in peril.”
“You know that being an American is more than a matter of where your parents came from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an even break.”
“When you get to be president, there are all those things, the honors, the twenty-one gun salutes, all those things. You have to remember it isn’t for you. It’s for the presidency.”
“The reward of suffering is experience.”
“The president is always abused. If he isn’t, he isn’t doing anything.”