I believe that each of us can make a difference. That what is wrong can be made right. That people possess the basic wisdom and goodness to govern themselves without conflict.
This, then, is the test we must set for ourselves; not to march alone but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us.
The history of the labor movement needs to be taught in every school in this land. America is a living testimonial to what free men and women, organized in free democratic trade unions can do to make a better life. We ought to be proud of it!
Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism.
The essence of statesmanship is not a rigid adherence to the past, but a prudent and probing concern for the future.
My philosophy has always been that benefits should percolate up rather than trickle down.
The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.
It is not what they take away from you that counts. It’s what you do with what you have left.
The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.
Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.
Just be what you are and speak from your guts and heart – it’s all a person has.
There is in every American, I think, something of the old Daniel Boone – who, when he could see the smoke from another chimney, felt himself too crowded and moved further out into the wilderness.
What we need are critical lovers of America – patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it.
I am not here to judge whether people are locked in poverty because of themselves or because of the society in which they live. All I know is that they are there and we are trying to do something about it.
I’ve never thought my speeches were too long; I’ve rather enjoyed them.
The time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadows of states rights and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights.
We are in danger of making our cities places where business goes on but where life, in its real sense, is lost.
The President is the peoples lobbyist.
To err is human. To blame someone else is politics.
We need an America with the wisdom of experience. But we must not let America grow old in spirit.