Top 254 Quotes & Sayings by George H. W. Bush - Page 4

I'm not what you call your basic intellectual.

Great nations of the world are moving toward democracy.

My grandkids say, "Reality Bites." O.K., but it also challenges and rewards... I believe our best days are yet to come.

Ozone Man, Ozone. He's crazy, way out, far out, man.

Going in and occupying Iraq, thus unilaterally exceeding the United Nations' mandate, would have destroyed the precedent of international response to aggression that we hoped to establish. Had we gone the invasion route, the United States could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land.

But I see history as a book with many pages--and each day we fill a page with acts of hopefulness and meaning.

I am for an immigration policy that's welcoming and upholds the law.

I think 9/11 guaranteed that national security is going to be in the forefront of every election.

We asked for God's help; and now, in this shining outcome, in this magnificent triumph of good over evil, we should thank God.

Thousand points of light.

I wouldn't answer the marijuana questions. You know why? Because I don't want some little kid doing what I tried.

This government to government relationship is the result of sovereign and independent tribal governments being incorporated into the fabric of our Nation, of Indian tribes becoming what our courts have come to refer to as quasi-sovereign domestic dependent nations. Over the years the relationship has flourished, grown, and evolved into a vibrant partnership in which over 500 tribal governments stand shoulder to shoulder with the other governmental units that form our Republic.

Extending the ground war into an occupation of Iraq, would have incurred incalculable human and political costs. Had we gone the invasion route, the U.S. could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land. It would have been a dramatically different - and perhaps barren - outcome.

In times of crisis our nation depends on the courage and determination of the Guard. You know the call of active duty can come at any time. You stand ready to put your lives on hold and answer that call, ... And you did so because you love your state and your country. America appreciates your courageous decision to serve. Together with your comrades in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Reserves, you are showing that patriotism is alive and well in Idaho and throughout the United States.

There are things we can do to give us a little more attention.... I've got to look more frantic.

Surely a tired woman on her way to work at six in the morning on a subway deserves the right to get there safely . everyone who changes his or her life because of crime . have been denied a basic civil right.

The potential of this nation is as boundless as the imagination and drive of the American people. . . . Quality management is not just a step. It must be a new style of working. Even a new style of thinking. The dedication to quality and excellence is more than good business; it's a way of life.

The Cold War began with the division of Europe. It can only end when Europe is whole.

The United States will continue its efforts to improve our understanding of climate change - to seek hard data, accurate models, and new ways to improve the science - and determine how best to meet these tremendous challenges.

We sue each other too much and care for each other too little.

Draconian limits on economic growth and on the use of the automobile should not be necessary in order to give Americans clean air at levels they are willing to pay for, but it will require significant Federal, State, and local leadership and innovative approaches from government and industry.

At the front end, to stop people from illegally entering our country, not at the back end, by reimbursing states after it has failed to enforce the border. [I] would allocate additional resources to enforcing the border, so states such as Texas and California would not have the huge expenses they currently do.

America needs to be a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like The Simpsons.

Real improvement in our schools is not simply a matter of spending more, it is a matter of expecting more.

By the year 2000, all Americans must be able to set the clocks on their VCRs.

Let's forgive the Nazi war criminals.

We're enjoying sluggish times, and not enjoying them very much.

Somebody said, "Well, you're going to write your definitive book about your life, biography." No, I'm not. I haven't done that. I wrote a book of letters which gives an insight into the real me as opposed to the public perceptions of me. But I'm convinced historians will figure out the things we got wrong and hopefully the things we got right.

You do not reform a world by ignoring it.

It's not whether people like you but whether they share the bright dreams...and understand the heartbeat of the country.

I hope I stand for antibigotry, anti-Semitism, antiracism. This is what drives me.

It was just one year ago that the world saw this new, invigorated United Nations in action as this Council stood fast against aggression and stood for the sacred principles enshrined in the U.N. Charter. And now it's time to step forward again, make the internal reforms, accelerate the revitalization, accept the responsibilities necessary for a vigorous and effective United Nations. I want to assure the members of this Council and the Secretary-General, the United Nations can count on our full support in this task.

I'm the one who will not raise taxes. My opponent now says he'll raise them as a last resort, or a third resort. But when a politician talks like that, you know that's one resort he'll be checking into. My opponent, my opponent won't rule out raising taxes. But I will. And The Congress will push me to raise taxes and I'll say no. And they'll push, and I'll say no, and they'll push again, and I'll say, to them, Read my lips: no new taxes.

A time of historic change is no time for recklessness.

I think the spirit of America, one American wanting to make another American's life better, or internationally our desire to see countries do better, or people in countries do better, coming from this concept of volunteerism is a very valid and important part of our internal being.

We also share a profound desire for a lasting peace in the Middle East. My Administration is dedicated to achieving this goal, one which will guarantee Israel security. At the same time, we will do our utmost to defend and protect Israel, for unless Israel is strong and secure, then peace will always be beyond our grasp. We were with Israel at the beginning, 41 years ago. We are with Israel today. And we will be with Israel in the future. No one should doubt this basic committment.

I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the decade beginning January 1, 1990, as the Decade of the Brain.

At Odessa we became Texans, and proud of it.

Every American expects and deserves clean air, and then we act on that belief, then we will set an example for the rest of the world to follow.

There's a second life involved. No matter what your position is on abortion or the death penalty, you shouldn't put a pregnant woman to death.

Unlike Churchill, I have no plans to shape history. . . . Socrates gave advice

It's too much show business and too much prompting, too much artificiality, and not really debates. They're rehearsed appearances.

I just sit ther and do what I vowed I would never do - talk back to the television.

American business can out-think, out-work, out-perform any nation in the world. But we can't beat the competition if we don't get in the ball game.

America's freedom is the example to which the world expires.

Never answer a hypothetical question. It gets you beyond where you want to be.

I know this about the American people: We welcome competition. We'll match our ingenuity, our energy, our experience and technology, our spirit and enterprise against anyone.

Know what you're talking about.

There are singular moments in history, dates that divide all that goes before from all that comes after.

I think the major event that shaped my life was being a Naval aviator. I got my commission and wings at 18 years old, and then I went into combat at 19. And I think, as I look back on it, that whole experience probably shaped my life more than any incident, or any event.

The liberation of Kuwait has begun. In conjunction with the forces of our coalition partners, the United States has moved under the code name Operation Desert Storm to enforce the mandates of the United Nations Security Council.

Study hard; and you might grow up to be President. But let's face it: Even then, you'll never make as much money as your dog.

My vision of a 'new world order' foresees a United Nations with a revitalized peacekeeping function.

I don't like dynasty and legacy. But I think there's a period in the U.S. history where Bushes have been in the forefront.

It is possible to tell things by a handshake. I like the "looking in the eye" syndrome. It conveys interest. I like the firm, though not bone crushing shake. The bone crusher is trying too hard to "macho it." The clammy or diffident handshake - fairly or unfairly - get me off to a bad start with a person.

As for me, tough duty though it may be, I continue to do my part for the commercial recreation industry. Fishing, boating, tennis, golf, running, hunting, and all of this. Horseshoes. It's tough duty. Somebody has to do it, and I'm going to keep on.

As you know, in the 2000 campaign I articulated a point of view that we ought to have personal savings accounts for younger workers that would make sure those younger workers receive benefits equal to or greater than that which is expected, ... I still maintain the same position.

By the grace of God, we won the Cold War.

I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of [CIA] sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious, of traitors.

There is no greater advocate of perestroika than the president of the United States.