The quotations of

Ronald Reagan

40th President of the United States

1911–2004

77 quotes, most often on Government, Freedom and Economics. Part of the U.S. Presidents collection.

I hope that when you are my age, you will be able to say as I have been able to say: We lived in freedom. We lived lives that were a statement, not an apology.
The greatness of our country has been based on our thinking that everyone has a right even to be wrong.
- America
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.
Remarks at a business conference in Los Angeles (2 March 1977)
- Politics
Welfare’s purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence.
Interview, Los Angeles Times (7 January 1970)
- Politics
Freedom is the recognition that no single person, no single authority or government has a monopoly on the truth, but that every individual life is infinitely precious, that every one of us put in this world has been put there for a reason and has something to offer.
- Freedom
Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.
- Politics
We’ve been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of government himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else?
Ronald Reagan’s First Inaugural Address (1981)
- Government
Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things. It is the continuous revolution of the marketplace. It is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek solutions.
Moscow State University (31 May 1988)
- Freedom
You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man’s age-old dream⁠—the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order⁠—or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism.
A Time for Choosing (1964)
- Politics
America is no stronger than its people⁠—and that means you and me. Well, I believe in you, and I believe that if we work together then one day we will say, ``We fought the good fight. We finished the race We kept the faith.’’ And to our children and our children’s children we can say, ``We did all that could be done in the brief time that was given to us here on earth.
- America
Government does not tax to get the money it needs; government always finds a need for the money it gets.
Bush-Reagan Debate 1980 on Taxes at League of Women Voters. (24 April 1980) · video footage
- Government
In an atmosphere of liberty, artists and patrons are free to think the unthinkable and create the audacious; they are free to make both horrendous mistakes and glorious celebrations.
- Liberty
As government expands, liberty contracts.
Ronald Reagan’s Farewell Address (1989)
- Government
- Liberty
Outside of its legitimate function, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector.
- Government
Trust the people. This is the one irrefutable lesson of the entire postwar period contradicting the notion that rigid government controls are essential to economic development.
- Economics

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