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.

The Goliath of totalitarianism will be brought down by the David of the microchip.
Post-presidency (1989–2004)
- Computers
The thought of being president frightens me. I do not think I want the job.
- Presidency
We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.
Speech at Omaha Beach on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day (6 June 1984)
- America
The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’
Space Shuttle “Challenger” Address (1986)
Information is the oxygen of the modern age. It seeps through the walls topped by barbed wire, it wafts across the electrified borders.
Post-presidency (1989–2004)
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.
Speech at the Republican National Convention, Platform Committee Meeting, Miami, Florida” (31 July 1968)
- Laws
- Responsibility
We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much.
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, 1982
- Economics
Fascism was really the basis for the New Deal. It was Mussolini’s success in Italy, with his government-directed economy, that led the early New Dealers to say “But Mussolini keeps the trains running on time.”
Time (17 May 1976)
- Economics
- Government
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with conflict by peaceful means.
“Address at Commencement Exercises at Eureka College in Illinois,” May 9, 1982
- War & Peace
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)
- Government
Some people work an entire lifetime and wonder if they ever made a difference to the world. But the Marines don’t have that problem.
Letter to Lance Cpl. Joe Hickey (23 September 1983), R.W. “Dick” Gaines refers in detail
- Work
The other day, someone told me the difference between a democracy and a people’s democracy. It’s the same difference between a jacket and a straitjacket.
Remarks at Human Rights Day event (10 December 1986)
- Clever Jabs
- Democracy
A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that’s true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not.
Television address (4 March 1987) on Iran-Contra affair
- Facts
- Truth & Lies
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
Address to the annual meeting of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (30 March 1961)
- Freedom
Whatever else history may say about me when I’m gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts.
Address to the Republican National Convention, Houston (17 August 1992)
- Hope

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