R

Ronald Reagan

65 quotes

Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981 to 1989. Before entering politics, he had a successful career as a Hollywood actor. Reagan's optimistic vision, communication skills, and conservative policies — particularly on taxes and the Cold War — reshaped American politics for a generation.

“No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!”

— Ronald Reagan

Government

All Quotes by Ronald Reagan

“It doesn't do good to open doors for someone who doesn't have the price to get in. If he has the price, he may not need the laws. There is no law saying the Negro has to live in Harlem or Watts.”

— Ronald Reagan

Good

“One way to make sure crime doesn't pay would be to let the government run it.”

— Ronald Reagan

Government

“It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?”

— Ronald Reagan

Work

“Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying.”

— Ronald Reagan

Age

“Information is the oxygen of the modern age. It seeps through the walls topped by barbed wire, it wafts across the electrified borders.”

— Ronald Reagan

Age

“Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out.”

— Ronald Reagan

Best

“The taxpayer - that's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.”

— Ronald Reagan

Government

“Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.”

— Ronald Reagan

Life

“Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”

— Ronald Reagan

Government

“There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.”

— Ronald Reagan

Great

“All great change in America begins at the dinner table.”

— Ronald Reagan

Change

“The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.”

— Ronald Reagan

Government

“You know, if I listened to Michael Dukakis long enough, I would be convinced we're in an economic downturn and people are homeless and going without food and medical attention and that we've got to do something about the unemployed.”

— Ronald Reagan

Food

“Politics I supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.”

— Ronald Reagan

Politics

“The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away.”

— Ronald Reagan

Best

“Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing.”

— Ronald Reagan

Government

“While I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future.”

— Ronald Reagan

Future

“Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.”

— Ronald Reagan

Government

“If the federal government had been around when the Creator was putting His hand to this state, Indiana wouldn't be here. It'd still be waiting for an environmental impact statement.”

— Ronald Reagan

Environmental

“Today, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse.”

— Ronald Reagan

Government