Famously Said Random quote

Quotes about America

379 quotes from 149 people

Most readBy personPage 15 of 26

Our government has kept us in a perpetual state of fear — kept us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervor — with the cry of grave national emergency. Always there has been some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power that was going to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it.
Douglas MacArthur1880–1964Address to the Annual Stockholders Sperry Rand Corporation (30 July 1957), as published in General MacArthur Speeches and Reports 1908-1964 (2000) by Edward T. Imparato, p. 206
If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.
James Madison1751–1836
- War & Peace
You give me a credit to which I have no claim in calling me ‘the writer of the Constitution of the United States.’ This was not, like the fabled Goddess of Wisdom, the offspring of a single brain. It ought to be regarded as the work of many heads and many hands.
James Madison1751–1836
The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world.
James Madison1751–1836“Outline” notes (September 1829), in The Writings of James Madison (1910) by Gaillard Hunt, Vol. 9, p. 357
- Liberty
The Constitution requires an adoption in toto, and for ever.
James Madison1751–1836Letter to Alexander Hamilton (1788)
- Government
The constitution supposes, what the History of all Governments demonstrates, that the Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, & most prone to it.
James Madison1751–1836Letter to Thomas Jefferson (2 April 1798); published in The Writings of James Madison (1906) edited by Gaillard Hunt, Vol. 6, pp. 312-14
We think of Marilyn who was every man’s love affair with America. Marilyn Monroe who was blonde and beautiful and had a sweet little rinky-dink of a voice and all the cleanliness of all the clean American backyards.
Norman Mailer1923–2007Marilyn (1973), Ch. 1
- Beauty
Sitting at the table doesn’t make you a diner, unless you eat some of what’s on that plate. Being here in America doesn’t make you an American. Being born here in America doesn’t make you an American.
Malcolm X1925–1965Speech in Cleveland, Ohio (April 3, 1964)
I’m not going to sit at your table and watch you eat, with nothing on my plate, and call myself a diner. Sitting at the table doesn’t make you a diner, unless you eat some of what’s on that plate.
Malcolm X1925–1965Speech in Cleveland, Ohio (April 3, 1964)
- Race
We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock. The rock was landed on us.
Malcolm X1925–1965Speech at Founding Rally of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (28 June 1964)
- Race
I’m not an American. I’m one of the 22 million black people who are the victims of Americanism. One of the 22 million black people who are the victims of democracy, nothing but disguised hypocrisy.
Malcolm X1925–1965Speech in Cleveland, Ohio (April 3, 1964)
- Democracy
- Race
In my country we go to prison first and then become President.
Nelson Mandela1918–2013Long Walk to Freedom (1995)
- Presidency
America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world.
John McCain1936–2018Second Presidential Debate (8 October 2008)
No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant.
John McCain1936–2018Official statement: “SASC Chairman John Mccain on Trump-Putin Meeting” (16 July 2018)
- Presidency
I will not take the low road to the highest office in this land. I want the presidency in the best way, not the worst way.
John McCain1936–2018Remarks following the South Carolina Primary (19 February 2000).
- Character
- Presidency