100+ Famous Reagan Quotes That Inspire Leadership and Freedom

"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."

"We are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams."

"There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right."

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge."

"If you've seen the future through your mind's eye and go for it, you can bring it about."

"The best way to predict the future is to create it."

"We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker."

"Peace is not the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish."

"Let us begin with a simple truth: No President, no government, no official at any level can solve all our problems."

"We must always believe in ourselves and never stop trying."

"Government isn't the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

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

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

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

"The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right."

"Man is not free unless government is limited."

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

"Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the church is fulfilling its role."

"The Founding Fathers knew a government can't control the economy without controlling people."

"In a free society, some are unhappy because they are not rich enough. In a non-free society, all are unhappy because they are not free."

"Democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man."

"The real danger is that people who mean well—in fact, all of us—will yield up to government the freedoms we cherish."

"Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from disappearance."

"Without freedom of speech, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"The government isn't running the economy; the economy is running the government."

"The problem with government programs is that they always seem to cost twice as much and take three times as long as expected."

"Taxes are the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society."

"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program."

"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

"The issue is not whether we can afford to spend more money on government, but whether we can afford not to cut back."

"My idea of economic recovery is to lower taxes and let people keep more of what they earn."

"You can't strengthen the weak by weakening the strong."

"You can't help the poor by destroying the rich."

"You can't multiply wealth by dividing it."

"A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money."

"The question before us is not whether we spend more or less, but whether we get more for what we spend."

"America is the only country born of an idea. That idea is that you can be free."

"We are a nation that has a government—not the other way around."

"Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew America."

"We are a nation of many nationalities, cultures, languages, and religions—a melting pot in which immigrants are absorbed and become one people."

"I am not ashamed to confess that I was glad to be born in America and that I am proud to be president of such a country."

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

"America is too great to dream small dreams."

"Our nation rests upon a moral order in which men acknowledge duties over and above their own self-interest."

"We must teach our children to understand that America is good, not perfect—but good."

"This nation is worth defending with everything we’ve got."

"We are a shining city upon a hill—whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere."

"Patriotism is not a dirty word. Love of country is not nationalism."

"If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

"All civilizations have been built on religious faith."

"We need to restore the awareness that ours is a spiritual nation and our strength comes from faith."

"Can we expect success from a nation that tolerates the abortion of 40 million unborn children?"

"The Lord said, 'Thou shalt not kill,' and yet we have legalized the killing of the unborn."

"We are told we must choose between a secular or religious society. I firmly believe that to be free, a nation must be both."

"Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless."

"God gave us the Ten Commandments and we broke them all."

"We must stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone."

"Without God, there is no virtue, because there is no restraint on man's passions."

"Faith is the living substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen."

"The foundation of our republic was morality and faith."

"Evil does exist in the world. A Soviet leader once said we were like turkeys voting for Christmas. Well, we won't."

"Trust, but verify."

"The West won't contain communism, it will transcend communism."

"They reserve unto themselves the right to commit any crime, so long as it's done in the name of the people."

"Dictators are always surprised when the people rise up."

"We must maintain the strength to deter aggression and preserve peace."

"Peace through strength—that’s our goal."

"Let us make clear to the Soviets that our arms are not a sign of hostility but a guarantee of peace."

"The military doesn't start wars. Politicians do. But the military must be ready."

"A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought."

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I’m from the Peace Corps and I’m here to help.'"

"Let us begin anew, remembering that civility is not a sign of weakness."

"It's morning again in America."

"The future belongs to the optimist."

"We are a nation of optimists, dedicated to the pursuit of happiness."

"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart."

"Let us begin with hope and belief in ourselves."

"When you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, remember that you may be the light."

"We must have faith in each other, faith in our ability to govern ourselves."

"Keep looking up… that’s the secret of life."

"The greatest joy is the joy of learning."

"Happiness is not something you get—it's something you are."

"Let us renew our faith in the American Dream."

"Even in the darkest moments, hope survives."

"The best social program is a job."

"We must reject the notion that a person should depend on government for everything."

"No one has a greater right to anything from government than anyone else."

"Character is destiny, and character is built in the home."

"We must teach our children that they are not entitled to anything except what they earn."

"The welfare system encourages dependency and discourages work."

"People don't fail; they give up."

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

"If you value liberty, you must also value responsibility."

"We must stop rewarding failure and start rewarding achievement."

"The entrepreneur is the backbone of the American economy."

"Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try."

"I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency—even if I’m in a cabinet meeting."

"The Democrats promise that they’ll tax you until it hurts, then they’ll tax you until it feels better."

"They don't make tape recorders like they used to. Of course, they didn't make presidents like me either."

"I paid for dinner, but I couldn't remember how."

"I have wondered from time to time what goes through the head of a bald man when he buys a comb."

"I have a plan to reduce the deficit. It involves Congress reading the Constitution."

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

"How do you tell a Communist? Well, one way is, you say: 'Everything I have is mine, and everything you have is yours.' If he smiles, he's a Communist."

"I’ve always maintained that the IRS would be more efficient if they had to solicit voluntary contributions."

"After my first debate with Carter, someone asked me if I was satisfied. I said, 'Yes, I think I did well—I didn’t use any notes!'"

"I believe in tax reduction, though I haven't seen it happen yet."

"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense."

"I’ve spent my life getting up and saying hello to people. Now I’m going to spend eternity doing the same."

"The greatest honor I’ve ever received is the trust of the American people."

"I hope I’ve done some good. I hope I’ve made a difference."

"My view of government places an emphasis on helping people help themselves, not on ruling their lives."

"I’ve always believed that the best government is the one that governs least."

"I leave behind a nation stronger, freer, and more confident."

"The work of freedom is never finished."

"History teaches us that freedom is fragile and must be guarded."

"I’ve lived in a time of miracles. The fall of the Berlin Wall was one."

"I’m not concerned about the legacy I leave. I’m concerned about the country I leave it to."

"If my presidency proves anything, I hope it’s that optimism and courage can change the world."

"I’ve tried to be a voice for common sense and common decency."