Ronald Reagan quotes, verified

“Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people.”

Inaugural Address as Governor of California (Public Ceremony), Sacramento, 5 January 1967

From Reagan's public inaugural address as Governor of California, delivered at the State Capitol in Sacramento on 5 January 1967.

Read the original source

“The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom, and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.”

Interview, Reason magazine ('Inside Ronald Reagan'), July 1975

From an interview with Reason magazine published in July 1975 under the title “Inside Ronald Reagan.”

Read the original source

“Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”

Remarks at the National Conference of the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Washington DC, 30 March 1981

From remarks to the national conference of the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, in Washington, DC, on 30 March 1981.

Read the original source

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with conflict by peaceful means.”

Address at Commencement Exercises at Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois, 9 May 1982

From a foreign policy address at Reagan's own alma mater, Eureka College, on 9 May 1982, the 50th anniversary of his graduating class.

Read the original source

“America is too great for small dreams.”

Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union, 25 Jan 1984

From Reagan's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on 25 January 1984.

Read the original source

“One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.”

Remarks at a Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, U.S. Ranger Monument, Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, France, 6 June 1984

Spoken at the U.S. Ranger Monument at Pointe du Hoc on 6 June 1984, the 40th anniversary of D-Day, with surviving Rangers of the 2nd Ranger Battalion seated in front of him.

Read the original source

“Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure.”

Remarks at an Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas, 23 August 1984

Spoken at an ecumenical prayer breakfast at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas, on 23 August 1984, during the Republican National Convention.

Read the original source

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

News conference, 12 August 1986

Said at a presidential news conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, on 12 August 1986.

Read the original source

“Back then, government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”

Remarks to State Chairpersons of the National White House Conference on Small Business, Old Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C., 15 August 1986

From remarks on 15 August 1986 to state delegates preparing for the second National White House Conference on Small Business.

Read the original source