Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush

25 quotes

As a First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993, Barbara Bush brought a distinctive perspective that shines through in every quotation. Barbara Bush's observations on Family are as sharp as their thoughts on Women, revealing genuine breadth of mind. 30 of Barbara Bush's sharpest quotes live here, spanning themes of Family, Women, Politics, Life, and Trust. A favorite of many readers: "I'm worried about parents who aren't parenting."

“I married the first man I ever kissed. When I tell this to my children, they just about throw up.”

— Barbara Bush

Marriage

All Quotes by Barbara Bush

“I think togetherness is a very important ingredient to family life.”

— Barbara Bush

Family

“The personal things should be left out of platforms at conventions. You can argue yourself blue in the face, and you're not going to change each other's minds. It's a waste of your time and my time.”

— Barbara Bush

Change

“My health is very good.”

— Barbara Bush

Health

“I may be the only mother in America who knows exactly what their child is up to all the time.”

— Barbara Bush

Mom

“It was the dumbest thing I had ever seen, but it's a family thing, and I guess it's clean.”

— Barbara Bush

Family

“You may think the president is all-powerful, but he is not. He needs a lot of guidance from the Lord.”

— Barbara Bush

Politics

“I married the first man I ever kissed. When I tell this to my children, they just about throw up.”

— Barbara Bush

Marriage

“Bias has to be taught. If you hear your parents downgrading women or people of different backgrounds, why, you are going to do that.”

— Barbara Bush

Women

“Well, look at what people are doing for returned veterans now. The wounded warriors. They're working hard to make the wounded veterans feel that they are loved and welcomed home, unlike Vietnam. It was not a very kind, gentle world then. I think we are kinder and gentler.”

— Barbara Bush

Home

“Value your friendship. Value your relationships.”

— Barbara Bush

Friendship

“I'm worried about parents who aren't parenting.”

— Barbara Bush

Parenting

“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.”

— Barbara Bush

Family

“Suddenly women's lib had made me feel my life had been wasted.”

— Barbara Bush

Women

“I'm not a competitive person, and I think women like me because they don't think I'm competitive, just nice.”

— Barbara Bush

Women

“I decided I ought to pick a project that would not be controversial, that would not really cost the government a lot of money.”

— Barbara Bush

Government

“The winner of the hoop race will be the first to realize her dream, not society's dream, her own personal dream.”

— Barbara Bush

Society

“You know sit with your arm around a little kid and read. It not only teaches them to read but it keeps the family strong.”

— Barbara Bush

Family

“Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people - your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way.”

— Barbara Bush

Family

“Family and friends and faith are the most important things in your life and you should be building friendships.”

— Barbara Bush

Faith

“Life has changed enormously, and I hope - I hope more people read good things.”

— Barbara Bush

Hope