“Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement.”

We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.

Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things.

Surround yourself with great people; delegate authority; get out of the way.

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

Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.

Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.

Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.

I didn’t leave the Democratic party, the Democratic Party left me.

We should measure welfare’s success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added.

Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them.

Excellence does not begin in Washington.

If history teaches anything, it teaches that self-delusion in the face of unpleasant facts is folly.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem.

There are no such things as limits to growth, because there are no limits to the human capacity for intelligence, imagination, and wonder.

Please tell me you’re Republicans.

Bad as any government may be, it is seldom worse than anarchy.

We will continue to do our utmost to support living in light of the ever-changing needs of the field, and will accelerate efforts in cooperation with local governments.

The more government takes in taxes, the less incentive people have to work.

Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.

The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.

Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.