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the Eisenhower Memorial Web Site| Home | > | Ike Quotes | > | Chronological Listing of Ike Quotes |
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From the Speeches
and Writings Chronological Listing “The officer is the keystone of the military arch.” “The infantry is the backbone of any army’s
success.” “We are on the side of decency, and democracy and
liberty.” “All patriots, men and women, young and old, have
a part to play in the achievement of final victory.” “Full victory has been attained in Europe.” “I come from the very heart of America.” “Intelligent people are not isolationists.” “The substance of peace is a universal appreciation
of human values.” “We must strive for understanding and be ready to
do our part in substituting cooperation for conflict.” “I know of no more sincere pacifists than American
soldiers and veterans.” “To be strong nationally is not a sin, it is a necessity.” “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can,
only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.” “All must learn that in cooperation there is giving
as well as receiving.” “Until the peoples of the world understand and respect
the interests of their neighbors, the victory will elude us.” “I wish we could have an all-volunteer Army.” “To remain at peace we must be a strong nation.” “In the scientific world the best of yesterday is
the obsolete of today.” “It is the job of the men of the Armed Forces to
see that the enemies of humanity cannot again make war.” “Small nations have as much right as large ones
to feel secure.” “The education of the officer never ends.” “We must do all that we can toward progressive disarmament,
for which I think we should all pray very sincerely.” “The security establishment of our democracy must
always remain representative of our way of life.” “All must understand that military rank is a recognition
of responsibility and not a ration book of personal privilege.” “From the time of Washington, American soldiers
fighting and dying for this republic have had their inspiration
in its championship of liberty.” “The Army of the United States was truly the people
of the United States in action.” “The wartime Army of the United States was a mass
expression of America.” “On our future conduct depends the peace of the
world for generations to come.” “Soldiers apply an acid test to their officers that
only the true leader can survive.” “War is not only destructive, it is sterile of positive
result.” “Our ideal today is a free, prosperous and cooperative
world.” “The American tradition is to finish whatever we
start, however hard the road.” “The freedom of the individual and his willingness
to follow real leadership are at the core of America’s
strength.” “The purpose of the United Nations is peace.” “Every nation is neighbor to all mankind.” “Democracy is essentially a political system that
recognizes the equality of humans before the law.” “There is no strength equal to the strength of an
enduring friendship.” “The barriers to neighborliness are fear and prejudice
spawned by ignorance.” “There is no short cut or easy way to lasting peace.” “The proudest human that walks the earth is a free
American citizen.” “To blend, without coercion, the individual good
and the common good is the essence of citizenship in a free country.” “The free individual has been justified as his own
master; the state as his servant.” “There is nothing wrong with America that the faith,
love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot
cure.” “Misunderstanding among neighbors is perilous in
the atomic age.” “Far better to risk a war of possible annihilation
than grasp a peace which would be the certain extinction of free
man’s ideas and ideals.” “The gamble of war lures the desperate, for even
overwhelming defeat can hardly worsen their state.” “To prevent the crime of war, all nations and all
ideologies can unite without sacrifice of principle.’ “We reject any insinuation that one race or another,
one people or another, is in any sense inferior or expendable.” “We must be ready to dare all for our country. For
history does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak
or the timid.” “A people that values its privileges above its principles
soon loses both.” “To be true to one’s own freedom is, in essence,
to honor and respect the freedom of all others.” “We must be devoted with all our hearts to the values
we defend.” “As our heart summons our strength, our wisdom must
direct it.” “The seeds of hate and of distrust can be born on
winds that heed no frontier or shore.” “No nation’s security and well-being can be
lastingly achieved in isolation but only in effective cooperation
with fellow-nations.” “Any nation’s attempt to dictate to other
nations their form of government is indefensible.” “Every gun that is made, every warship launched,
every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from
those who are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” “We live in an age of peril.” “The plain truth is that security is planned, not
blindly bought.” “The middle way may lack drama and sensation. But
it has sense and strength.” “The true purpose of education is to prepare young
men and women for effective citizenship in a free form of government.” “I believe the only way to protect my own rights
is to protect the rights of others.” “I believe as long as we allow conditions to exist
that make for second-class citizens, we are making of ourselves
less than first-class citizens.” “The unity of all who dwell in freedom is their
only sure defense.” “I deeply believe that one of the supreme hopes
for the world’s destiny lies in the American community:
in its moral values, in its sense of order and decency, in its
cooperative spirit.” “Before us of Canada and the United States lies
an immense panorama of opportunity in every field of human endeavor.” “There are no insoluble problems.” “I am proud to be an American.” “Against the dark background of the atomic bomb,
the United States does not wish merely to present strength, but
also the desire and hope for peace.” “We will build a stronger and better America – of
greater security and increasing prosperity for all.” “The United Nations deserves our continued firm
support.” “The American economy is one of the wonders of the
world.” “Part of our Nation’s precious heritage is
its natural resources.” “Throughout the history of this country, all the
men and women we most revere as inspired leaders constantly sought
Divine Guidance in the discharge of their public responsibilities.” “We want to improve and expand our social security
program.” “We believe that every nation has a right to live
its own life.” “America believes in, and practices, fair play,
and decency and justice.” “The general limits of your freedom are merely these:
that you do not trespass upon the equal rights of others.” “We will accept nothing over and above freedom.” “We are dedicated to the building of a cooperative
peace, based on truth, justice, and fairness.” “Wherever man’s right to knowledge and the
use thereof is restricted, man’s freedom in the same measure
is restricted.” “We must make our aim the building of peace in justice
and freedom.” “We must remember the spiritual base that underlies
man’s existence, and the spiritual base that underlies
all free government; else we shall surely fail.” “We are essentially a religious people.” “We know that no nation can live alone.” “Faith is the mightiest force that man has at his
command.” “We must reaffirm to the oppressed masses of the
earth the great truth that the God who gave life to humanity,
at the same time gave the right of liberty to man.” “America is strong because we believe in the dignity
of man.” “The pursuit of peace is at once our religious obligation
and our national policy.” “The American dream is a goal that can be achieved
only in work and wise thought, in unity among men and faith in
God.” “Government, through social security and by fostering
applicable insurance plans, must help protect the individual
against hardship and help free his mind from anxiety.” “So long as any citizen wants work and cannot find
it, we have a pressing problem to solve.” “It is this Divinely inspired faith which gives
promise to our quest for peace.” “We must tirelessly labor to make the peace more
just and durable.” “The prosperity of our small business enterprises
is an indispensable element in the maintenance of our economic
strength.” “We must continue our program to help our Indian
citizens improve their lot and make their full contribution to
national life.” “Without God, there could be no American form of
government, nor an American way of life.” “Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first – the
most basic – expression of Americanism.” “We have a country dedicated to equality of opportunity.” “The divisions between us are artificial and transient.” “The munitions of peace are justice, honesty, mutual
understanding, and respect for others.” “My admiration for the young American on the battlefield
is unexcelled.” “Americans covet no other country’s land.” “We believe in the worth and dignity of the individual.” “A spiritual vigor marks our national life.” “Injustice thrives on ignorance” “The spirit of our people is the strength of our
nation.” “All who work to produce should share equitably
in the fruits of their labor.” “Government must have a heart as well as a head.” “The purpose of government is to serve, never to
dominate.” “Under God, we espouse the cause of freedom and
justice and peace for all peoples” “Our nation is called to leadership.” “The destiny of man is freedom and justice under
his Creator.” “Change based on principle is progress.” “There can be no enduring peace for any nation while
other nations suffer privation, oppression, and a sense of injustice
and despair.” “Peace, like all virtues, begins at home.” “The truth must guide our every deed.” “The only way to win World War III is to prevent
it.” “I see an America in which every man can eat his
own bread, raise his own family in security, and strengthen his
own spirit and mind in dignity.” “The history of free men is never really written
by chance-but by choice-their choice.” “We are proudly a people with no sense of class
or caste.” “Our country supports without reservation the full
sovereignty and independence of each and every nation of the
Middle East.” “We seek not violence, but peace.” “We look upon this shaken earth, and we declare
our firm and fixed purpose – the building of a peace with
justice in a world where moral law prevails.” “Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin.” “Our most precious national resource: our children,
our future citizens” “We believe in peace.” “You cannot fight poverty with guns.” “You cannot satisfy hunger with deadly ammunition.” “The world has shrunk and our sense of interdependence
is keen.” “A foundation of our American way of life is our
national respect for law.” “We live in one of the great ages in the story of
mankind.” “The goal we seek is peace with justice.” “We will never be the aggressor.” “We pray for greatness in courage of will to explore
every path of common enterprise that may advance the cause of
justice and freedom.” “The world thinks of us as a country which is strong,
but one which will never start a war.” “The only answer to a regime that wages total cold
war is to wage total peace.” “We must maintain freedom of the seas.” “America is the strongest temporal power on earth.” “Peace is an affirmative, constructive, continuing
development.” “Both job security and national security demand
an enlightened trade policy.” “Humanity now threatens its own existence.” “Whatever the cost, America shall keep itself secure.” “If civilization is to survive, it must choose the
rule of law.” “Freedom under law is like the air we breathe.” “If civilization is to survive, it must choose the
rule of law.” “It is only as we govern ourselves that we are well-governed.” “Achievement and progress cannot be created for
our people; they can only be created by our people.” “Our future is in our own hands.” “The economy of the American people has served this
nation faithfully and well.” “Decisions of a nation and of a government that
at one time could tolerate three or four weeks of study now demand
almost instantaneous reaction.” “The stronger we become spiritually, the safer our
civilization.” “We believe in the principle that governments are
properly established only when it is with the consent of the
governed.” “As we cherish our freedom we believe in freedom
for others.” “Let us not listen to those who despair of the future.” “America is committed to avoidance of force as an
instrument of national policy.” “The winning of a just, lasting peace is the overriding
goal of all Americans.” “There is no one in the United States who needs
to be told or reminded that all free civilization rests upon
a base of religious faith.” “The United States has pledged its national honor
to work for peace.” “We cannot build peace through desire alone.” “Unless we progress, we regress.” “There can be no such thing as Fortress America.” “America is best described by one word, freedom.” “We march in the noblest of causes – freedom.” “The shirking of our responsibilities would solve
no problems for us.” “We recognize that freedom is indivisible.” “Without confidence, constructive action is difficult-often
impossible.” “America must educate all the varied talents of
our citizens to the limit of their abilities.” “The dignity of man is enhanced by the dignity and
freedom of learning.” “Complacency today speeds the erosion of liberty
tomorrow.” “I never saw a paved road in my youth.” “A world of understanding will be a world of true
freedom and peace.” “The world must learn to work together--or finally
it will not work at all.” “The atom can be used either for the benefit or
for the destruction of man.” “We believe that freedom ultimately will be won
everywhere.” “America did not become great through softness and
self- indulgence.” “Concentration of power is dangerous and susceptible
to abuse.” “Integrity in Government is mandatory.” “The struggle for freedom does not stop when the
guns of war cease firing.” “We do not wish to prosper at another's expense.” “We do not wish to impose our particular form of
democracy upon another.” “War is now utterly preposterous.” “Every human being is capable of greatness.” “The quest for peace is the imperative of our time.” “What we do, or fail to do, will have its maximum
impact on the lives of our children and grandchildren.” “In our time, the destructive power available for
misuse is awesome.” “Nations must constantly explore new opportunities
to be helpful to one another.” “Controlled, universal disarmament is now imperative.” “We need a betterment of all education in all levels.” “Since public opinion is the only force that has
any validity in democracy it must be an informed public opinion.” “The resources of this Nation are incalculable,
but they are not inexhaustible.” “Mankind knows that the effects of nuclear war would
be not only horrible but universal.” “In a nuclear war there can be no victors only losers.” “We re proud of our freedom.” “I remain pledged to pursue a peace of dignity,
of friendship, of honor, of justice.” “Freedom and independence for each is in the interest
of all.” “We must accept the risks of bold action with coolness
and courage.” “We want presidential leadership that rejects both
irresponsible promises and deceptively simple solutions to national
problems.” “There must be peace for the world, or no nation
can truly enjoy it.” “We hold dear the things of the spirit and the intellect.” “Our ideals of freedom, democracy, human dignity
and social justice shine through all our institutions.” “We can, we must banish poverty.” “Noble ideas must be supported by education and
hard work.” “We must steadily maintain critical self-examination.” “The nation's future is what you make it.” “America is the product of faith, deeply felt, religiously
held.” “In the councils of government, we must guard against
the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought,
by the military-industrial complex.” “Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence,
is a continuing imperative.” “May we be ever unswerving in devotion to principle,
confident but humble with power, diligent in pursuit of the Nation's
great goals.” “I believe that continued deficit spending is immoral.” “Excessive centralization is a never-ceasing threat
to our democratic future.” “Political labels will not influence thinking citizens.” “The value of a political system is measured by
the ultimate destiny of those who live under it.” “Understanding and cooperation are advanced by lively
discussion and honest debate.” “The Founders conceived government as the servant,
not the master of the individual.” “When the individual is responsible for his fate
he tends to manage his affairs best.” “Only Americans can ever hurt America.” “America is in the dawn of its destiny.” “The dedicated teacher is possibly the most important
individual in our modern world.” “Our culture is a blending of the most ancient and
the new, of east and west, of every continent and of every era.” “No race, no culture, no idea can be alien to an
American who strives to live by our forebears' declaration that
all men are created equal, divinely endowed.” “We got great things done.” “There must be no second hand citizens in this country.” “The government in Washington belongs to you.”
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