Presidents have always held a special place in American history. They are the free world’s leaders tasked with making important decisions that impact millions of people. Throughout history, presidents have also been known for their eloquent and inspiring words.
We’ve gathered some of the most famous presidential quotes, ranging from inspirational to humorous. These quotes offer insight into the minds of some of our nation’s greatest leaders and showcase the power of language to move and motivate us. So sit back and enjoy these timeless words from some of America’s most iconic figures.
Presidential Quotes About Leadership
Calvin Coolidge
“Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.” ―Calvin Coolidge (1923–1929)
Theodore Roosevelt
“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” ―Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)
James Madison
“The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.” ―James Madison (1809–1817)
Lyndon B. Johnson
“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” ―Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)
Woodrow Wilson
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” ―Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921)
John F. Kennedy
“One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” ―John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)
Ronald Reagan
“There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” ―Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)
Rutherford B. Hayes
“Every expert was once a beginner.” ―Rutherford B. Hayes (1877–1881)
Presidential Quotes About Courage
Jimmy Carter
“You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.” ―Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)
John F. Kennedy
“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” ―John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)
Franklin D. Roosevelt
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” ―Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945)
John Quincy Adams
“Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.” ―John Quincy Adams (1825–1829)
Dwight D. Eisenhower
“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight—it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ―Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)
Super Famous Presidential Quotes
Martin Van Buren
“It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.” —Martin Van Buren (1837–1841)
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Warren G. Harding
“There’s good in everybody. Boost. Don’t knock.” —Warren G. Harding (1921–1923)
George Washington
“Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for ’tis better to be alone than in bad company.” —George Washington (1789–1797)
Abraham Lincoln
“I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards.” ―Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865)
Herbert Hoover
“Be patient and calm; no one can catch a fish with anger.” —Herbert Hoover (1929–1933)
James Garfield
“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.” ―James Garfield (1881)
Thomas Jefferson
“On matters of style, swim with the current; on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” ―Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)
Inspiring Presidential Quotes
Theodore Roosevelt
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” —Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)
Barack Obama
“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” ―Barack Obama (2009–2017)
Abraham Lincoln
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” ―Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865)
Theodore Roosevelt
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ―Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)
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Barack Obama
“The cynics may be the loudest voices—but I promise you they will accomplish the least.” —Barack Obama (2009–2017)
There you go! We hope you found these presidential quotes to be as moving and inspiring as we did. Despite what you might think about a certain president, many did have some great things to say. Share these on President’s Day, the Fourth of July, and any other time you need some wise words.
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