William Jefferson Clinton

A guy is walking along the edge of the Grand Canyon and he falls off. He's hurtling down hundreds of feet to certain death and he looks up and grabs this twig, and it breaks his fall. He heaves a sigh of relief, and then, all of a sudden, he sees the roots coming loose. He looks up to the sky and says, "God, why me? I'm a good person. I've taken care of my family. I've paid all my taxes, I've worked all my life. Why me?" And this thunderous voice says, "Son, there's just something about you that I don't like."
~ William J. Clinton, (reportedly, a favorite joke of his)

A world without walls is the only sustainable world. . . . If the world is dominated by people who believe that their races, their religions, their ethnic differences are the most important factors, then a huge number of people will perish in this century.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Zellerbach Hall, UC-Berkeley (29 January 2002)

Advances in computer technology and the Internet have changed the way America works, learns, and communicates. The Internet has become an integral part of America's economic, political, and social life.
~ William J. Clinton

After eight years and almost exactly nine days to go, the last dog is still barking. Don't forget that even though I won't be president, I'll always be with you until the last dog dies.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Speech at Dover, New Hampshire (11 January 2001)

AIDS is no longer a death sentence for those who can get the medicines. Now it's up to the politicians to create the "comprehensive strategies" to better treat the disease.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the 10th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Boston MA (10 February 2003).

All Americans, indeed all people throughout the world, owe him what he regarded as the ultimate compliment: He was a statesman who sought to build a lasting structure of peace.
~ William J. Clinton, Tribute, on the death of Richard Nixon (27 April 1994)

All of us -- parents, schools, communities and government -- share responsibility to keep kids safe.
~ William J. Clinton

America has been a force for peace and prosperity in every corner of the globe.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Address to the Nation (January 2001)

America will not stop standing guard for peace, or freedom or stability in the Middle East and around the world.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks by the President during USS Cole Memorial Service (18 October 2000)

America's success was not a matter of chance, it was a matter of choice.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks by the President to the Democratic National Convention (14 August 2000)

Americans never fought for empire, for territory, for dominance -- but many, many Americans gave their lives for freedom.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks by the President at Memorial Day Service (29 May 2000)

And I hope that the end will come sooner rather than later, so fewer people will die.
~ William J. Clinton

And one thing a politician knows, running for office, you will never get in trouble as long as you sound like you're the toughest person on the block about crime.
~ William J. Clinton

And though you have given too much, you still have so much to give.
~ William J. Clinton

Anybody who has ever had kids can tell you that if things aren't going right for your kids, it doesn't matter what else is going right in your life.
~ William J. Clinton

As a nation, there is nothing more important to our future than our children and their education.
~ William J. Clinton

As every parent knows, a good education is a gift that keeps on giving for a lifetime.
~ William J. Clinton

As we become ever more diverse, we must work harder to unite around our common values and our common humanity.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Address to the Nation (January 2001)

As we have throughout this century, we will lead with the power of our example, but be prepared, when necessary, to make an example of our power.
~ William J. Clinton

Behind us we can look back and see the great expanse of American achievement; and before us we can see even greater, grander frontiers of possibility.
~ William J. Clinton, State of the Union Address (27 January 2000)

But I always think, when somebody attacks you, if it's not fair and you let them get away with it, it's your fault.
~ William J. Clinton, Interview on NBC TV (11 February 2003). The Today Show

By lifting the weakest, poorest among us, we lift the rest of us as well.
~ William J. Clinton

California has become the first American state where there is no majority race, and we're doing just fine. If you look around the room, you can see a microcosm of what we can do in the world. . . . You should be hopeful on balance about the future. But it's like any future since the beginning of time -- you're going to have to make it.
~ William J. Clinton (visiting with students at University of California, Davis' Freeborn Hall), The Sacramento Bee (18 November 2002). A call for foreign aid: Clinton tells UCD crowd that giving more would lessen hatred toward U.S.

Character is a journey, not a destination.
~ William J. Clinton

Could there be more? Of course there could be. Can we do a better job of defense? Yes, we can. Have we learned a lot from September 11? We have. So I'm basically very, very confident about the long-run future of this. I just think we've got a lot of diligent, difficult work to do.
~ William J. Clinton, CNN Larry King Live Clinton "full of regret" bin Laden got away (interview, 4 September 2002)

Democracies don't go to war against each other, and by and large they don't sponsor terrorism. They're more likely to respect the environment and human rights and social justice. It's no accident that most of the terrorists come from non-democratic countries.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Harvard University (19 November 2001)

Despite the government's attempts to manipulate the vote, it does seem clear that the people have voted for change.
~ William J. Clinton

Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good.
~ William J. Clinton

Don't you ever forget that in the end, our future is tied to people.
~ William J. Clinton

Each human life is unique, born of a miracle that reaches beyond laboratory science. Any discovery that touches upon human creation is not simply a matter of scientific inquiry. It is a matter of morality and spirituality as well.
~ William J. Clinton (the possibility of human cloning), The Washington Times (6 March 1997).

Education is an important part of any strategy for economic growth.
~ William J. Clinton

Even as people take pride in their national independence, we know we are becoming more and more interdependent.
~ William J. Clinton

Every time we pray our horizon is altered, our attitude to things is altered, not sometimes, but every time, and the amazing thing is that we don't pray more.
~ William J. Clinton

Everybody counts, everybody deserves a chance, everybody has a responsible role to play and we all do better when we work together.
~ William J. Clinton, Lecture at The University of Texas, Austin TX (12 February 2003). Making Sense by Keeping Peace

For too long we've been told about "us" and "them." Each and every election we see a new slate of arguments and ads telling us that "they" are the problem, not "us." But there can be no "them" in America. There's only us.
~ William J. Clinton

Former adversaries can come together to find common ground in a way that benefits all their people, to let go of the past and embrace the future, to forgive and to reconcile.
~ William J. Clinton

Global poverty is a powder keg that could be ignited by our indifference.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Address to the Nation (January 2001)

Globalization is not something we can hold off or turn off . . . it is the economic equivalent of a force of nature -- like wind or water.
~ William J. Clinton

How can they jump on him when they're out there repressing, trying to run black voters away from the polls and running under the Confederate flag in Georgia and South Carolina? I mean, look at their whole record. He just embarrassed them by saying in Washington what they do on the backroads every day.
~ William J. Clinton, The Associated Press (18 December 2002). Clinton: GOP Berate of Lott Hypocritical

I always get nervous when people start talking about legacies.
~ William J. Clinton

I am going to focus like a laser beam on this economy.
~ William J. Clinton, on ABC News Nightline (the day after the 1992 election, November 1992)

I am here because the Stones aren't term-limited and they're just as old as I am.
~ William J. Clinton, Addressing the crowd at a free Rolling Stones concert, Staples Center, Los Angeles CA (6 February 2003)

I am often troubled as I try hard here to create a new sense of common purpose. . . . And I have felt in the last several months during my presidency that we oftentimes get so caught up in the battle of the moment, the heat of the moment -- how are you going to answer this charge, and make that change, or deal with this difficulty -- that sometimes we forget that we are all in this because we are seeking a good that helps all Americans.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks in Photo Opportunity during White House Interfaith Breakfast (30 August 1993)

I am opposed to abortion and to government funding of abortions.
~ William J. Clinton, Letter to Arkansas Right to Life (26 September 1986)

I am profoundly grateful to you for twice giving me the honor to serve, to work for you and with you to prepare our nation for the 21st century.
~ William J. Clinton

I ask that all Americans demonstrate in their personal and public lives, and teach actively to our country's children, the high ethical standards that are essential to good character and to the continued success of our Nation.
~ William J. Clinton, National Character Counts Week, 1997: A Proclamation (17 October 1997)

I ask you to join in a re-United States. We need to empower our people so they can take more responsibility for their own lives in a world that is ever smaller, where everyone counts.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech to supporters in Little Rock, Arkansas (4 November 1992)

I believe I'm a better authority than anybody else in America on my wife. I have never known a person with a stronger sense of right and wrong in my life -- ever.
~ William J. Clinton

I believe that those who promote discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or any other grounds are gravely mistaken about the values that make our nation strong.
~ William J. Clinton

I did have a relationship with Ms. Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible. . . .
~ William J. Clinton, National Address (17 August 1998)

I did not run for this job just to warm the seat. I desperately want to make a difference.
~ William J. Clinton

I do believe we need to do more on our own here in America to deal with some of the things we've learned, some of the pressure points we've learned are on our people in these last few months.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks before departing for St. Patrick's Day Lunch (on the price of gasoline and oil, 16 March 2000)

I do think it's a big mistake to assume that creating this new big department is the be-all and end-all in home defense. . . . It may do more good than harm. But it is not all that can be done.
~ William J. Clinton (speaking at University of California, Davis' Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts), The Sacramento Bee (18 November 2002). A call for foreign aid: Clinton tells UCD crowd that giving more would lessen hatred toward U.S.

I don't know whether it's the finest public housing in America or the crown jewel of prison life. It's a very isolating life.
~ William J. Clinton

I don't suppose there's any public figure that's ever been subject to any more violent personal attacks than I have.
~ William J. Clinton

I don't think we should ever give up the right to unilaterally use our military, but I think we should bend over backward to build our world in which we are sharing responsibility and sharing benefits.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the University of Florida, Gainesville FL (3 April 2003).

I had made a terrible personal mistake which I didn't try to correct until almost a year later and I had to live with it, and it caused enormous amount of pain to my family, to my administration, to the country.
~ William J. Clinton

I have always believed that the decision to have an abortion generally should be between a woman, her doctor, her conscience, and her God.
~ William J. Clinton, Veto message on the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act (11 April 1996)

I have apologized to the American people for what I did wrong, and most Americans think I paid a pretty heavy price.
~ William J. Clinton, Esquire magazine (December 2000)

I have never seen . . . so slippery, so disgusting a candidate.
~ William J. Clinton

I hope they will say that I did a good job of leading America into a new century, a new millennium, and a whole new way working and living and relating to the rest of the world, that I lifted the American people up. And brought them together.
~ William J. Clinton, Interview on NBC TV (11 February 2003). The Today Show

I hope this trip has helped the American people to see Vietnam in a new way and has encouraged the people of Vietnam to see America in a new way so that we will have a partnership for the future.
~ William J. Clinton

I just think that the knee-jerk reaction to any gun safety measure is wrong.
~ William J. Clinton

I just wanted to go out there and do what past presidents have done, but the Republicans had other ideas for me.
~ William J. Clinton

I know it is unpopular. I know the timing is unpopular. I know the whole thing is unpopular. But I believe it is the right thing.
~ William J. Clinton (on the invasion of Haiti).

I like that about the Republicans; the evidence does not faze them, they are not bothered at all by the facts.
~ William J. Clinton

I like the job. . . . The bad days are part of it. I didn't run to have a pleasant time, I ran to have the chance to change the country, and if the bad days come with it -- that's a part of life, and it's humbling and educational. It keeps you in your place.
~ William J. Clinton

I loved living in the White House. But I never thought I could do that for life. The thing I miss most -- is the work and the people that I worked with and saw. But I actually like this part of my life -- I like having my life back.
~ William J. Clinton, Interview on NBC TV (11 February 2003). The Today Show

I may not have been the greatest president, but I've had the most fun eight years.
~ William J. Clinton

I met children who lost their daddies and I met a lot of people who survived. This is the first time they've had a chance to clap their hands and shout and dance. This is a great gift to them.
~ William J. Clinton, at Madison Square Garden (20 October 2001). Concert for the City of New York

I must be the only person in America that every time -- I pay the maximum tax rates -- every time I sign that tax form, I smile. I thank God I live in a country that gave me a chance to make the money I do.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the 32nd annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Conference, Chicago IL (24 June 2003).

I really believe one of the reasons the American people gave me a second term was to take the tough decisions in the next four years that will carry our country through the next fifty years.
~ William J. Clinton, State of the Union address (4 February 1997)

I think he's trying to build goodwill, which is important. Maybe the last few years have bled enough poison out of the system where it will be possible.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks By The President On Air Force One (14 December 2000)

I think it's a mistake for them to try and blame us for it, though, because we actually have a clear and unbroken record of trying to clear up a lot of these corporate abuses. . . . There was corporate malfeasance both before he took office and after. The difference is I actually tried to do something about it, and their party stopped it.
~ William J. Clinton, in Washington Post (remarks to WJLA-TV, 28 July 2002). Clinton Rejects Blame in Corporate Crisis, Criticizes Bush on Mideast

I think it's both good ethics and good economics to scrap this notion that we can fight a war on terror and give rich folks like me a tax cut. It amounts to class warfare.
~ William J. Clinton, Lecture at The University of Texas, Austin TX (12 February 2003). Making Sense by Keeping Peace

I think that the country needs a debate that's not a screaming match. . . . And I think too many times we have these arguments on these talk shows where they're trying to get ratings by generating heat, when we ought to be trying to generate more light.
~ William J. Clinton (on debating Bob Dole), CBS TV (6 March 2003). Early Show

I think that the trend toward freedom is virtually irreversible . . . these folks are too young and too vigorous.
~ William J. Clinton

I think we all ought to be questioning all the time and learning and growing. And I think that's what we need, but it's not my deal, I don't think.
~ William J. Clinton, CNN Larry King Live (interview, 4 September 2002). Bill Clinton: No immediate plans for TV show

I thought that my virtual obsession with him was well placed, and I was full of regret that I didn't get him.
~ William J. Clinton, CNN Larry King Live (interview, 4 September 2002). Clinton "full of regret" bin Laden got away

I refuse to be part of a generation that celebrates the death of communism abroad with the loss of the American dream at home.
~ William J. Clinton

I want every American to know that, while you may disagree with this decision, I made it on the merits as I saw them, and I take full responsibility for it.
~ William J. Clinton

I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie. Not a single time. Never.
~ William J. Clinton, Televised press conference (26 January 1998)

I was thinking about how quickly it all passed and what an absolute joy it was -- even the bad days were good days.
~ William J. Clinton

I will get things done for America. . . . Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. . . . Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year. I am an Americorps volunteer.
~ William J. Clinton (swearing in members for his national service program), in The New York Times (12 September 1994).

I will relinquish my office -- doing so with a heart filled with gratitude; gratitude to the American people for the chance to serve and to leave our country with more opportunity, stronger bonds of community and a more positive impact in the larger world, at the dawn of a new century and a whole new aspect of human affairs.
~ William J. Clinton, Sermon at the Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. (7 January 2001). Reflections and Anticipations

I will work my heart out for you until the last dog dies.
~ William J. Clinton

I would personally get in a ditch, grab a rifle, and fight and die.
~ William J. Clinton (speaking at fund-raising dinner in Toronto), The Associated Press (2 August 2002). Clinton Says He'd Die For Israel

If a president of the United States ever lied to the American People, he should resign.
~ William J. Clinton, Arkansas Democrat Gazette (6 August 1974).

If, as it now appears, this was an act of terrorism it was a despicable and cowardly act. We will find out who was responsible and hold them accountable. If their intention was to deter us from our mission of promoting peace and security in the Middle East, they will fail utterly.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at USS Cole Memorial Service (12 October 2002)

If ever there was a doubt about the importance of exercising the most fundamental right of citizenship, it was clearly answered by the first presidential election of the 21st century.
~ William J. Clinton

If people can't let go to the hatred of their enemies, they risk sowing the seeds of hate among themselves.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at the Funeral of Yitzhak Rabin (6 November 1995).

If President Reagan could be an actor and become President, maybe I could become an actor. I've got a good pension, and I can work for cheap.
~ William J. Clinton

If my beloved mother were here, she would remind me that rain is liquid sunshine.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at the Clinton Presidential Center Dedication. Little Rock, Arkansas (18 November 2004).

If the issue is, is it a near certainty that at some time in the future there will some group, probably a terrorist group, that attempts to bring to bear either the use or the threat of a chemical or biological operation, I would say that is highly likely to happen sometime in the next few years.
~ William J. Clinton, Interview by The New York Times (23 January 1999)

If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution inhibit the government's ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those guarantees.
~ William J. Clinton, (12 August 1993)

If Thomas Jefferson were alive today, I would appoint him secretary of state, and then Al Gore and I would resign so he could become president.
~ William J. Clinton

If we act decisively now to improve our infrastructure, we can insure that air travel in the 21st century is the safest, most cost effective, most efficient in the world.
~ William J. Clinton

If we don't do it, we will be spending far, far more than that to clean up the mess of this humanitarian tragedy. . . . This needs to be done and done now.
~ William J. Clinton (urging all rich countries to contribute their "fair share" to the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria), USA TODAY (11 July 2002). Clinton 'wrong' on needle swaps

If we disagree and I think I'm right, I just go ahead and do what I think is right. And then she tells me, "I told you so."
~ William J. Clinton

If we want the world to embody our shared values, then we must assume a shared responsibility.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Address to the Nation (January 2001)

If we want to invest in the prosperity of our nation, we must invest in the education of our children so that their talents may be fully employed.
~ William J. Clinton

If we want to keep crime coming down, we need to instill trust in our criminal justice system.
~ William J. Clinton

If we work together and use this time well, we can ensure that this Y2K computer problem will be remembered as the last headache of the 20th century, not the first crisis of the 21st.
~ William J. Clinton

If you are for smaller government, then our candidate is for you. We are for better government and smaller government.
~ William J. Clinton

If you are white, you most likely believe the system is fair. If you belong to a minority group, you most likely feel the opposite.
~ William J. Clinton

If you believe in a security strategy -- a strategy of more friends and fewer enemies, a strategy of greater cooperation and a strategy of keeping America better at home as we grow more diverse -- we have to build the minds and hearts to build this kind of world.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the University of Florida, Gainesville FL (3 April 2003).

If you live in a country where you're never required to take responsibility for yourself, where you never even have to ask whether there's something you should be doing to solve your own problems, then people are kept in a kind of a permanent state of collective immaturity and it becomes quite easy for them to believe that someone else's success is the cause of their distress.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Georgetown University (7 November 2001)

If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit.
~ William J. Clinton, in The New York Times (June 1992).

I'll tell you what did influence me -- Isreal did influence me profoundly.
~ William J. Clinton

I'm having to become quite an expert at this business of asking for forgiveness, and it gets a little easier the more you do it. And if you have a family, an administration, a Congress and a whole country to ask, you're going to get a lot of practice.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Oak Bluffs, Mass. (28 August 1998)

In a world where we can't hide from each other, it will always be impossible for us to kill, jail or occupy all our enemies. Therefore we have to make a world with more partners and fewer enemies.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at Little Rock Central High School. Little Rock, Arkansas (16 November 2004).

In the years ahead, America may have presidents who do this job better than I have, but I really doubt we'll ever have another one who enjoyed it more.
~ William J. Clinton, Sermon at the Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. (7 January 2001). Reflections and Anticipations

In our hearts and in our laws, we must treat all our people with fairness and dignity, regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. . . .
~ William J. Clinton

In our shock and grief one thing must remain clear, hate and prejudice are not American values. The public outrage in Laramie and all across America today echoes what we heard at the White House Conference on Hate Crimes last year -- there is something we can do about this, Congress needs to pass our tough Hate Crimes Legislation. It can do so even before it adjourns and it should do so.
~ William J. Clinton, Office of the Press Secretary (12 October 1998). Remarks by the President Upon Departure to New York

In the whole history of this country, we have probably won more friends from the power of our example than from the power of our military.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the University of Florida, Gainesville FL (3 April 2003).

Inaction is not an option.
~ William J. Clinton

Individual character involves honoring and embracing certain core ethical values; honesty, respect, responsibility . . . Parents must teach their children from the earliest age the difference between right and wrong. But we must all do our part.
~ William J. Clinton, National Character Week proclamation (1996).

Instilling sound character in our children is essential to maintaining the strength of our nation into the 21st century.
~ William J. Clinton, National Character Counts Week, 1997: A Proclamation (17 October 1997)

It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.
~ William J. Clinton

It appears that some school officials, teachers, and parents have assumed that religious expression of any type is either inappropriate or forbidden altogether in public schools; however, nothing in the First Amendment converts our public schools into religion-free zones.
~ William J. Clinton (13 July 1995).

It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is.
~ William J. Clinton, Grand Jury testimony (17 August 1998)

It is dangerously destabilizing to have half the world on the cutting edge of technology while the other half struggles on the bare edge of survival.
~ William J. Clinton

It is very important that we get right back to business and fulfill our responsibility to give our children a world-class education.
~ William J. Clinton

It might be quite good, because it might be sobering for the country to realize we're in a completely new era.
~ William J. Clinton

It wasn't my finest hour. It wasn't even my finest half hour.
~ William J. Clinton

It's bad ethics and terrible economics. Take my money and make America well.
~ William J. Clinton (speech at the Families USA health advocacy conference in Washington, D.C.), Reuters (23 January 2003). Bill Clinton takes aim at Bush tax cuts

It's boring to set up systems. But nothing works without them. That is the business of politics.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the 10th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Boston MA (10 February 2003).

It's the American people who sent us here; it's our obligation to meet their priorities. So let's roll up our sleeves, get back to work and get back to work and finish the work we were sent here to do.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks on the Latino Immigration Fairness Act (31 October 2000)

It's the economy, stupid.
~ William J. Clinton

It's time for change in America.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the Democratic National Convention, New York City, A Vision for America: A New Covenant (16 July 1992)

It's time to turn off the pork barrel spigot and deliver for our children's future.
~ William J. Clinton

It's California I'm worried about. I don't want you to become a laughingstock, a carnival or the beginning of a circus in America where we just throw people out as soon as they make a tough decision. . . . Don't do this. Don't do this.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech, First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles CA (14 September 2003).

It will be good for our souls because global poverty is an affront and confronting the challenge is simply the right thing to do.
~ William J. Clinton

I've been in politics long enough to expect criticism and hostility. But I was unprepared for the hatred I get from Christians. Why do Christians hate so much?
~ William J. Clinton (speaking with evangelicals), The Washington Times (23 August 1997).

Just as war is freedom's cost, disagreement is freedom's privilege.
~ William J. Clinton

Just try to imagine what it would be like to be 300 million years old.
~ William J. Clinton

Justice may be blind, but we all know that diversity in the courts, as in all aspects of society, sharpens our vision and makes us a stronger nation.
~ William J. Clinton

Keep your eyes on the prize and don't turn back.
~ William J. Clinton, The Mirror Clinton: Innocents Will Die In Iraq War (Speech at the Labour party conference in Britain, 2 October 2002)

Let us, in short, do the work that is before us, so that when our time here is over, we will all watch the sun go down -- as we all must -- and say truly, we have prepared our children for the dawn.
~ William J. Clinton, Address by the President to the Democratic National Convention, Chicago IL (29 August 1996).

Let us never demonize or give up on those who disagree with us. We don't want to become like the right-wing talk-show hosts, hammering our adversaries into cartoon characters and denying their humanity.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the 32nd annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Conference, Chicago IL (24 June 2003).

Meanwhile, every single day, there are 13 children who die from guns in this country.
~ William J. Clinton

Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.
~ William J. Clinton, Radio Address by the President and Mrs. Gore to the Nation (5 June 1999)

My days in this office are nearly through, but my days of service, I hope, are not.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Address to the Nation (January 2001)

My doctor ordered me to shut up, which will make every American happy.
~ William J. Clinton (announcing a case of laryngitis, 1994).

New information and communications technologies can improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, but only if such technologies are designed from the beginning so that everyone can use them. Given the explosive growth in the use of the World Wide Web for publishing, electronic commerce, lifelong learning and the delivery of government services, it is vital that the Web be accessible to everyone.
~ William J. Clinton, letter to the World Wide Web Consortium (4 April 1997)

No generation has had the opportunity, as we now have, to build a global economy that leaves no-one behind. It is a wonderful opportunity, but also a profound responsibility.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Warwick University (14 December 2000)

No government really rooted in limited, parliamentary democracy should have the power to make its citizens fight and kill and die in a war they may oppose, a war which even possibly may be wrong, a war which, in any case, does not involve immediately the peace and freedom of the nation.
~ William J. Clinton, Letter to local R.O.T.C program (on the military draft, 3 December 1969)

No one wants to get this matter behind us more than I do, except maybe all the rest of the American people. I am looking forward to the opportunity, in the next few days, of testifying. I will do so completely and truthfully.
~ William J. Clinton, Appearance in the White House Rose Garden (31 July 1998)

No one who works hard every day should have trouble putting food on the table at night.
~ William J. Clinton

No question that an admission of making false statements to government officials and interfering with the FBI is an impeachable offense.
~ William J. Clinton

No wonder Americans hate politics, when year in, year out, they hear politicians make promises that won't come true because they don't even mean them.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech to the Economic Club of Detroit (21 August 1992).

Nobody's got a lock on the truth.
~ William J. Clinton

Now I've already told you I think we ought to be doing more to help, but there's some people you can't help if they don't help themselves. And I think this is a very, very important point.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Georgetown University (7 November 2001)

Old or young, healthy as a horse or a person with a disability that hasn't kept you down, man or woman, Native American, native born, immigrant, straight or gay -- whatever; the test ought to be I believe in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. I believe in religious liberty. I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in working hard and playing by the rules. I'm showing up for work tomorrow. I'm building that bridge to the 21st century. That ought to be the test.
~ William J. Clinton, Address by the President to the Democratic National Convention, Chicago IL (29 August 1996).

Once we met here as adversaries, today we work as partners.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at the JTF-FA Excavation Site, Tien Chau Village, Socialist Republic of Vietnam (18 November 2000)

One of the things that I think we have learned is that we should all be very careful about making predictions about the future.
~ William J. Clinton

Our big goal should be to make connection to the Internet as common as connection to telephones is today.
~ William J. Clinton

Our economic success was not a matter of chance, it was a matter of choice.
~ William J. Clinton, Radio Address by the President to the Nation (9 December 2000)

Our objectives are clear. Our forces are strong, and our cause is right.
~ William J. Clinton (on the deployment of U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf).

Our paradigm now seems to be: Something terrible happened to us on September 11, and that gives us the right to interpret all future events in a way that everyone else in the world must agree with us. And if they don't, they can go straight to hell.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at a Conference Board symposium entitled "Progress Report on Restoring Trust in Corporations and America's Financial Markets", New York NY (14 April 2003).

Our Republican friends said then they would absolutely not be held responsible for our economic policies. I hope the American people take them at their word.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks by the President to the Democratic National Convention (14 August 2000)

Part of our essential humanity is paying respect to what God gave us and what will be here a long time after we're gone.
~ William J. Clinton, (1999)

People can quarrel with whether we should have more troops in Afghanistan or internationalize Iraq or whatever, but it is incontestable that on the day I left office, there were unaccounted for stocks . . . of biological and chemical weapons.
~ William J. Clinton, Telephone interview, CNN TV (22 July 2003). Larry King Live

People should get what they pay for online; it should be easy to get redress if they don't.
~ William J. Clinton

Pessimism is an excuse for not trying and a guarantee to a personal failure.
~ William J. Clinton

Politics gives guys so much power that they tend to behave badly around women. And I hope I never get into that.
~ William J. Clinton

Pre-emptive action today may come back with unwelcome consequences in the future because -- and I have ordered this kind of action -- I don't care how precise your bombs and weapons are, when you set them off innocent people die.
~ William J. Clinton, The Mirror Clinton: Innocents Will Die In Iraq War (Speech at the Labour party conference in Britain, 2 October 2002)

She could do any job. Let me just say this, I've never known anybody in politics that was more able than her -- including me. She's as good as anybody I've ever known.
~ William J. Clinton (on Hillary Clinton), Interview on NBC TV (11 February 2003). The Today Show

Simply put, unsustainable debt is helping to keep too many poor countries and poor people in poverty.
~ William J. Clinton

Sometimes I feel like a fire hydrant looking at a pack of dogs.
~ William J. Clinton

Sometimes I think the environment in which we operate is entirely too secular. The fact that we have freedom of religion doesn't mean we need to try to have freedom from religion.
~ William J. Clinton, National Public Radio (24 September 1994). President Sides with Religious Right on Tithing Case

Sometimes I think I have no idea how I got to be president, and I am sure the people who oppose me don't either.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at the 32nd annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Conference, Chicago IL (24 June 2003).

Sometimes when people are under stress, they hate to think, and it's the time when they most need to think.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at a Conference Board symposium entitled "Progress Report on Restoring Trust in Corporations and America's Financial Markets", New York NY (14 April 2003).

Strict adherence to these guidelines will ensure that federal employees will respect the rights of those who engage in religious practices or espouse religious beliefs.
~ William J. Clinton (in a 13-page memo sent to all heads of federal agencies), The Washington Times (14 August 1997).

Supporters of capital punishment bear a special responsibility to ensure the fairness of this irreversible punishment.
~ William J. Clinton

Success is not the measure of a man but a triumph over those who choose to hold him back.
~ William J. Clinton

Teach them to walk away from violence.
~ William J. Clinton

Technology really has turned out to be a wonderful thing. . . . So Americans really are tuning in in positive ways on the Internet.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at Millennium Lecture (11 February 1998)

Terror leaves bitter enemies. The poison stays long in the well. The purpose, after all, is not to achieve military victory, but to achieve a change in circumstances by terror, to make us afraid of today, afraid of tomorrow, afraid of each other. Therefore, it cannot win unless we become admitting accomplices, changing the way we think and feel and live.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Harvard University (19 November 2001)

Thank you for making America the Comeback Country.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Speech at Dover, New Hampshire (11 January 2001)

That is, we're into a whole new world with the Internet, and whenever we sort of cross another plateau in our development, there are those who seek to take advantage of it. So this is a replay of things that have happened throughout our history.
~ William J. Clinton, Interview with Wolf Blitzer of cnn.com (on Internet security, 14 February 2000)

That's a bunch of hooey.
~ William J. Clinton

That's why you develop a brain, so you can think about more than one thing at a time.
~ William J. Clinton (speech at the Families USA health advocacy conference in Washington, D.C.), Reuters (23 January 2003). Bill Clinton takes aim at Bush tax cuts

That whether you are British, American or some other nationality, the No 1 task is to move from inter-dependence -- which can be good or bad -- to an integrated global community in which there is a shared future, shared responsibilities, shared prosperity and, most importantly, shared values. . . . The only way we can live together is if we say the celebration of our differences requires us to say that our common humanity matters more.
~ William J. Clinton, The Mirror Clinton: Innocents Will Die In Iraq War (Speech at the Labour party conference in Britain, 2 October 2002)

The advocates for either side are under enormous pressure, and, of course, they're being pretty snippy with each other from time to time.
~ William J. Clinton

The American people are concerned, and rightfully so. Americans should never have to worry that their employers are looking at the medicines they take, or the ailments they've had.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks on Medical Privacy (29 October 1999)

The era of big government is over.
~ William J. Clinton, State of the Union Address (1995)

The essential thing about democracy is that no one is indispensable.
~ William J. Clinton

The first thing you ought to do when you find yourself in a hole is quit digging. . . . Instead they are looking for a bigger shovel.
~ William J. Clinton (speech at the Families USA health advocacy conference in Washington, D.C.), Reuters (23 January 2003). Bill Clinton takes aim at Bush tax cuts

The global economy is giving more of our own people, and billions around the world, the chance to work and live and raise their families with dignity.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Address to the Nation (January 2001)

The God I believe in is a god of second chances.
~ William J. Clinton

The leaders are squandering a golden moment.
~ William J. Clinton

The other thing we have to do is to take seriously the role in this problem of . . . older men who prey on underage women. . . . There are consequences to decisions and . . . one way or another, people always wind up being held accountable.
~ William J. Clinton, (13 June 1996).

The problem of land mines is a global tragedy. In all probability, land mines kill more children than soldiers, and they keep killing after wars are over.
~ William J. Clinton

. . . the purpose of government is to reign in the rights of the people.
~ William J. Clinton, Interview on MTV (1993).

The purpose of politics is to give people tools to make the most of their lives.
~ William J. Clinton

The real differences around the world today are not between Jews and Arabs; Protestants and Catholics; Muslims, Croats, and Serbs. The real differences are between those who embrace peace and those who would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who cling to the past; between those who open their arms and those who are determined to clench their fists.
~ William J. Clinton, (1997).

The road to tyranny, we must never forget, begins with the destruction of the truth.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech, University of Connecticut (15 October 1995).

[The United States] can't be so fixed on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans. . . .
~ William J. Clinton, Press conference in Piscataway, NJ (2 March 1993)

The United States will always honor and never forsake its fallen heroes. We will not abandon their families.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at Memorial Day Ceremony (29 May 2000)

The world has never truly had to develop an ethic of interdependence rooted in our common humanity. And if we do it, the 21st century will be the most interesting, exciting, peaceful era in history.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Zellerbach Hall, UC-Berkeley (29 January 2002)

The world's poor cannot be led by people like Mr. bin Laden who think they can find their redemption in our destruction. But the world's rich cannot be led by people who play to our short-sided selfishness and pretend that we can forever claim for ourselves what we deny to others.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Harvard University (19 November 2001)

There are 36 million AIDS cases, two-thirds of them in Africa. But the fastest growing rates of AIDS is in the former Soviet Union on Europe's back door, in the Caribbean on America's front door, in India, the world's biggest democracy. The Chinese just admitted they have twice as many cases as they had thought, and only four percent of the adults in China, the world's biggest country, know how AIDS is contracted and spread. If we don't change the trends there will be a hundred million AIDS cases by 2005, making it the largest epidemic since the Black Plague killed a quarter of Europe in the 14th century.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Harvard University (19 November 2001)

There are large numbers of people who simply don't have the values and vision necessary to be part of an inter-dependent world. They think their differences -- whether religious, political, tribal or ethnic -- are more important than our common humanity. They believe the truth they have justifies their imposition of that truth on other people, even if it takes them to the death of innocents.
~ William J. Clinton, The Mirror Clinton: Innocents Will Die In Iraq War (Speech at the Labour party conference in Britain, 2 October 2002)

There has never been a time like this, in which we have the power to create knowledge and the power to create havoc, and both these powers rest in the same hands.
~ William J. Clinton

There is no reason for anyone in this country -- anyone except a police officer or military person -- to buy, to own, to have, to use a handgun. The only way to control handgun use in this country is to prohibit the guns.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech upon signing the Brady Bill (1993)

There is nothing more precious to a parent than a child, and nothing more important to our future than the safety of all our children.
~ William J. Clinton

There is nothing patriotic about hating your country or pretending that you can love your country but despise your government.
~ William J. Clinton, Address at Michigan State University (1995).

There is nothing wrong in America that can't be fixed with what is right in America.
~ William J. Clinton

There's a lot of interest in our country and how we're dealing with a lot of the challenges of the new century.
~ William J. Clinton

There's not a single, solitary shred of evidence that I did anything wrong. . . .
~ William J. Clinton

There may come a time when we elect a president at age 45 or 50, and then 20 years later the country comes up against the same kind of problems the president faced before. People would like to bring that man or woman back but they would have no way to do so.
~ William J. Clinton (on changing the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prevents a person from being elected president more than twice), Speech at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Boston MA (28 May 2003).

There will always be bad guys out there in the world who will try to take advantage of people's vulnerabilities.
~ William J. Clinton

These people ran on responsibility, but as soon as you scratch them, they go straight to blame. Now, you know, I didn't blame his father for Somalia when we had that awful day memorialized in "Black Hawk Down." I didn't do that.
~ William J. Clinton, in Washington Post Clinton Rejects Blame in Corporate Crisis, Criticizes Bush on Mideast (remarks to WJLA-TV, 28 July 2002)

They may walk with a little less spring in their step, and the ranks are growing thinner, but let us never forget, when they were young, these men saved the world.
~ William J. Clinton (in Normandy, France, for the 50th anniversary of the Allied landings there on June 6, 1944).

They've got a right to try to override any veto that I make. That's the way the Constitution works.
~ William J. Clinton

They've managed to keep their unemployment low although their overall unemployment is high.
~ William J. Clinton

This agreement will allow the delivery of life-saving medicines to people who desperately need them. It represents a big breakthrough in our efforts to begin treatment programs in places where, until now, there has been virtually no medicine, and therefore no hope.
~ William J. Clinton, The Clinton Presidential Center news release (23 October 2003). Clinton Foundation Announces Agreement On Major Reduction In Price Of AIDS Drugs

This country is still too dangerous. . . . The crime rate is still too high. The level of violence we put up with is still unacceptable.
~ William J. Clinton

This has been a time of dramatic transformation, and you have risen to every new challenge.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Address to the Nation (January 2001)

This is the tragedy of war for which peace provides no answer.
~ William J. Clinton

This is working. You can reward work.
~ William J. Clinton

This movement is a grassroots effort where knowledge is power. Count me as an ally in the struggle, and I thank you for all that you do.
~ William J. Clinton, Taped message delivered at the sixth annual United States Conference on AIDS (September 2002)

This remains a very important opportunity for the American people to have their day in court against big tobacco and its marketing practices. I urge Congress to provide the funding to allow the lawsuit to move forward, and not to shield the tobacco industry from the consequences of its actions.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks in Photo Opportunity before Cabinet Meeting (28 September 2000)

This rising tide is lifting all boats.
~ William J. Clinton

This should be a happy day for Americans of all ages today because a very good thing has been done for the future.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at Bill Signing for Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act of 2000 (7 April 2000)

Those same closed economies, isolated from the risks of the global economy, have also been isolated from its fullest awards.
~ William J. Clinton

To build the world we want, America will have to be involved. And the best likelihood comes when America, Britain and Europe are working together.
~ William J. Clinton, The Mirror Clinton: Innocents Will Die In Iraq War (Speech at the Labour party conference in Britain, 2 October 2002)

Today we are learning the language in which God created life.
~ William J. Clinton, White House Press Conference: The Human Genome Project (26 June 2000)

Try to remember that work cannot be the only thing in life.
~ William J. Clinton

Turning away from trade would keep part of our global community forever on the bottom.
~ William J. Clinton

We are engaged mainly in a struggle for the soul of this new century. Victory for our vision depends upon winning the fight we're in against terrorism, on spreading the benefits, and reducing the burdens of the modern world, on changes in poor nations themselves that will make progress possible, and finally, on developing a global level of consciousness about what our responsibilities to each other are and what our relationships ought to be.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Harvard University (19 November 2001)

We are gaining ever more awe for the complexity, the beauty, the wonder of God's most divine and sacred gift.
~ William J. Clinton

We are still experiencing the largest economic expansion of our history. Our economy is 50 percent bigger than it was eight years ago.
~ William J. Clinton

We believe the limits of the human condition prevent anyone from having the absolute truth. That's the whole idea of this University, isn't it?
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Harvard University (19 November 2001)

We can defend ourselves against Iraq. It would be quick and easy. But, it's worth waiting a little while because it's not a military threat.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Atlanta GA (13 February 2003).

We cannot allow them to have a hundred nuclear weapons. We cannot allow a country to, in effect, become the bomb-seller of the world because they're in a snit, and because they can't grow a crop.
~ William J. Clinton (on North Korea), Speech at Beth El Synagogue, St Louis Park MN (13 April 2003).

We cannot build our own future without helping others to build theirs.
~ William J. Clinton

We can't be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans . . .
~ William J. Clinton, Press conference in New Jersey (1 March 1993)

We could reduce the future that we can build for our children if we respond to the challenges in the wrong way. Whatever we do we have to have a care for the security of our nation, the character of our people and the future of our children. We must respond in a way that is consistent with the larger obligation that we all have to build a more integrated global community.
~ William J. Clinton, The Mirror Clinton: Innocents Will Die In Iraq War (Speech at the Labour party conference in Britain, 2 October 2002)

We don't need a constitutional amendment for kids to pray.
~ William J. Clinton, Presidential debate in San Diego CA (1996)

We have the money to do this now and do it right.
~ William J. Clinton

We have the most religious freedom of any country in the world, including the freedom not to believe.
~ William J. Clinton, Presidential debate in San Diego CA (1996)

We have to find ways to continue to change consistent with our basic values and our common community and humanity.
~ William J. Clinton

We have to put politics aside and seek common ground.
~ William J. Clinton

We know that when we protect our oceans we're protecting our future.
~ William J. Clinton

We must make a world with more friends and fewer enemies -- with more partners and fewer terrorists.
~ William J. Clinton, Yale University (2003).

We must protect our citizens' privacy -- the bulwark of personal liberty, the safeguard of individual creativity.
~ William J. Clinton

We must not take our economic strength for granted. That's why it is critical that we continue to pay down the debt -- to keep inflation and interest rates low.
~ William J. Clinton

We must work toward the day when citizen service is the common expectation and common experience of every American.
~ William J. Clinton, Address at the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps graduation ceremony, Washington, D.C. (9 August 1999). Promoting Citizen Service to America's Communities

We need a new spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together, or the American Dream will continue to wither. Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every other American.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech to supporters in Little Rock, Arkansas (4 November 1992)

We need to help younger people recognize their own capacity to do good, and help them discover the rewards of generosity.
~ William J. Clinton, Radio Address to the Nation (25 November 2000)

We should, all of us, be filled with gratitude and humility for our present progress and prosperity. We should be filled with awe and joy at what lies over the horizon. And we should be filled with absolute determination to make the most of it.
~ William J. Clinton, State of the Union Address (27 January 2000)

We should be filled with gratitude and humility for our prosperity and progress; with awe and joy at what lies ahead; and with absolute determination to make the most of it.
~ William J. Clinton

We should cooperate with others in the fight against terrorism around the world, in whatever ways are appropriate and possible. Because it's a global threat, invulnerability is global.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Zellerbach Hall, UC-Berkeley (29 January 2002)

We should set a national goal of making computers and Internet access available for every American . . . we must help all Americans gain the skills they need to make the most of the connection.
~ William J. Clinton, Memorandum to executive agencies (December 1999)

We're all trying to understand the future.
~ William J. Clinton

We're deeply grateful that the celebrations were both jubilant and peaceful, here and all around the world.
~ William J. Clinton

We're doing 60 Minutes because we're too old for "Survivor" and "Star Search."
~ William J. Clinton, CBS TV (6 March 2003). Early Show

We're going to have to make tough choices and we're going to have to make them together.
~ William J. Clinton

We've got the power, we've got the juice. We should do the job.
~ William J. Clinton (on the current administration's view of foreign policy), Speech at the University of Florida, Gainesville FL (3 April 2003).

What happened to us in September, 2001, is a microcosmic but painful and powerful example of the fact we live in an inter-dependent world that is not yet an integrated global community.
~ William J. Clinton, The Mirror Clinton: Innocents Will Die In Iraq War (Speech at the Labour party conference in Britain, 2 October 2002)

What I hope will happen is that we'll let the process play out enough to maximize our international support. I'd really like to see the whole U.N. with us. And I think there's a chance that they will be.
~ William J. Clinton (on war with Iraq), Interview on NBC TV (11 February 2003). The Today Show

What if he [Hussein] fails to comply [with disarmament] and we fail to act? He will conclude that the international community has lost its will. He will then go right on building up his arsenal. Someday, someway, I guarantee you, he'll use that arsenal.
~ William J. Clinton. (1998)

What should our shared values be? Everybody counts. Everybody deserves a chance. Everybody's got a responsibility to fulfill. We all do better when we work together. Our differences do matter, but our common humanity matters more.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at the Clinton Presidential Center Dedication. Little Rock, Arkansas (18 November 2004).

When first graders shoot first graders, it's time for Congress to do what's right for America's families.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks by the President on Gun Legislation (7 March 2000)

When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the Worldwide Web. . . . Now even my cat has its own page.
~ William J. Clinton, Announcement of Next Generation Internet initiative (1996).

When I took the oath of office as President on January the 20th, 1993, there were only 50 sites on the World Wide Web. In '93. When I left office, there were over 350 million and rising. Today, they're probably somewhere around 500 million. There's never been anything like it.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Zellerbach Hall, UC-Berkeley (29 January 2002)

When I was in England I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it. I didn't inhale.
~ William J. Clinton, in The New York Times (March 1992).

When it comes to anything that's social, whether it's your family, your school, your community, your business or your country, winning is a team sport.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Speech at Dover, New Hampshire (11 January 2001)

When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old.
~ William J. Clinton

When people feel uncertain, they'd rather have somebody that's strong and wrong than somebody who's weak and right.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech to the Democratic Leadership Council, New York University (3 December 2002)

When people talk about me now, I feel like I'm a witness at my own funeral.
~ William J. Clinton

When we give what we can and give it with joy, we don't just renew the American tradition of giving, we also renew ourselves.
~ William J. Clinton, Radio Address to the Nation (25 November 2000)

When you leave the White House you wonder if you'll ever draw a crowd again.
~ William J. Clinton

Why would anyone make a hard decision again? What if we had immediate recall of every teacher, every preacher? What if kids could recall their parents?
~ William J. Clinton, Speech, First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles CA (14 September 2003).

Yes, this library is the symbol of a bridge, a bridge to the 21st century. It's been called one of the great achievements of the new age, and a British magazine said it looked like a glorified house trailer. And I thought, well, that's about me, you know? I'm a little red and a little blue.
~ William J. Clinton, Remarks at the Clinton Presidential Center Dedication. Little Rock, Arkansas (18 November 2004).

You can put wings on a pig, but you don't make it an eagle.
~ William J. Clinton

You gave me the ride of my life, and I've tried to give as good as I got.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Speech at Andrews Air Force Base (20 January 2001)

You give me 300, 400 billion dollars a year, I'll show you a good time, too.
~ William J. Clinton (on the Republican-led economic boom of the 1980s), Speech at a Conference Board symposium entitled "Progress Report on Restoring Trust in Corporations and America's Financial Markets", New York NY (14 April 2003).

You have to have a positive strategy to make more partners and fewer terrorists. Harry Truman and George Marshall took a little bit of our money to build a world that had more friends and better enemies. Foreign assistance is national security -- not charity. The Marshall Plan saw it that way and we have to do the same today.
~ William J. Clinton (speaking at University of California, Davis' Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts), The Sacramento Bee (18 November 2002). A call for foreign aid: Clinton tells UCD crowd that giving more would lessen hatred toward U.S.

You just can't promise something like that just to get elected if you know there's a good chance that circumstances may overtake you.
~ William J. Clinton

You know, everybody makes mistakes when they are president. I mean, you can't make as many calls as you have to make without messing up once in awhile. The thing we ought to be focused on is what is the right thing to do now.
~ William J. Clinton, Telephone interview, CNN TV (22 July 2003). Larry King Live

You know, it's just one small step from legacy to lame duck.
~ William J. Clinton

You know the one thing that's wrong with this country? Everyone gets a chance to have their fair say.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Philadelphia City Hall (28 May 1993)

You live in a country that makes it harder to raise children than any other country in the world. You vote for me and I'll give you family values.
~ William J. Clinton, Portland Oregonian (26 July 1992)

You live in the age of interdependence. Borders don't count for much or stop much, good or bad, anymore.
~ William J. Clinton, Speech at Harvard University (19 November 2001)

You, the American people, have made our passage into the global information age an era of great American renewal.
~ William J. Clinton, Farewell Address to the Nation (January 2001)

You will get to the right place on all these other issues if you keep constantly expanding in your mind the definition of who is us and shrinking the definition of who is them.
~ William J. Clinton, Lecture at The University of Texas, Austin TX (12 February 2003). Making Sense by Keeping Peace

Your time is up. Leave now or we will force you from power.
~ William J. Clinton, Televised address on his decision to send troops to Haiti (15 September 1994)