American
Quotes

It is doubtful if American institutions and the American character could ever have evolved in Europe. The seed came from there but it took the sum of freedom and American soil to produce the fruit.
- Unknown

It is probably a pity that every citizen of each state cannot visit all the others, to see the differences, to learn what we have in common, and to come back with a richer, fuller understanding of America-in all its beauty, in all its dignity, in all its strength, in support of moral principle.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union, or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
- Thomas Jefferson

In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up, or else we all go down, as one people...
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

We've got to do a better job of getting across that America is freedom -freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise...Let's start with some basics: more attention to American history, and a greater emphasis on civic ritual.
- Ronald Reagan

Today the eyes of all people are truly upon us-and our government, in every branch, at every level...we must be as a city on a hill-constructed and inhabited by men aware of their grave trust and great responsibilities.
- John Winthrop

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.
- John F. Kennedy

And so, my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you---ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
- John F. Kennedy

For we must consider that we shall be as a City upon a Hill. The eyes of all people are upon us; so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world.
- John Winthrop

Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck and to provide for our posterity is to follow the counsel of Micah: to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God. For this end, we must be knit together in this work as one man. We must entertain each other in brotherly affection. We must be willing to abridge our selves of our superfluities, for the supply of others' necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience, and liberality. We must delight in each other, make others' conditions our own-rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
- John Winthrop

The Unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you.-It is justly so; for it is a main Pillar in the Edifice of your real independence; the support of your tranquility at home; your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity in every shape; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize.
- George Washington

The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same Religion, Manners, Habits, and Political Principles. You have in common cause fought and triumphed together; the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts-of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.
- George Washington

Let our objective be our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country. And by the blessing of God may that country itself become a vast and splendid monument, not of oppression and terror, but of wisdom, of peace, and of liberty, upon which the world may gaze with admiration forever.
- Daniel Webster

This principle of free governments adheres to the American soil. It is bedded in it-immovable as its mountains.
- Daniel Webster

I ask only that what every self-respecting American demands from himself and from his sons shall be demanded of the American nation as a whole.
- Theodore Roosevelt

We are determined to make every American citizen the subject of his country's interest and concern; and we will never regard any faithful, law-abiding group within our borders as superfluous. The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower