With the news on T.V. and so much dicussion on the world's state of affairs.
I thought it might be a nice change of pace if we looked at the positive phrases of America.
Mine was and always has been by the late great John F. Kennedy when he said "ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY". That was one of the main reasons I regestired to vote, the only time I didn't vote is when I was in the hospital.
But enough about my phrase or quote,or speech.
I'm sure every poster as got one from somewhere in history.
It doesn't have to be a president, and it don't have to be in the past just something an American said that got your attention. I would like it to be of a positive nature, but whatever you think of.
Gentlemen and ladies I await your favorite phrases or comments or veiws.

Since this is History rather than US politics, do you mind if I give a few by great Britons of history?

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... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
I have the honour to be... your obliged humble servant, Anthony Henley
- MPs reply to constituent, mid 1700s

The price of greatness is responsibility.
Sir Winston Churchill
British politician (1874 - 1965)


A love for tradition has never weakened a nation, indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril.
Sir Winston Churchill

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Neither am I the means to any end others may wish to accomplish. I am not a tool for their use. I am not a servant of their needs. I am not a bandage for their wounds. I am not a sacrifice on their altars. ... I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask no one to live for me, nor do I live for others. I covet no mans soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet.

Ayn Rand, Anthem.

"In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes."
Ben Franklin

"The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself."
Ben Franklin

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Neither am I the means to any end others may wish to accomplish. I am not a tool for their use. I am not a servant of their needs. I am not a bandage for their wounds. I am not a sacrifice on their altars. ... I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask no one to live for me, nor do I live for others. I covet no mans soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet.

Ayn Rand, Anthem.

My opologies to all American's foriegn allies, Of cource any great phrase is welcome from any where .
When I posted this thread I was in a bit of a hurry to get to work an oversite on my part.
I'm sure you Brother Oz might have some qoutes or phrases by the late Mr. Churchill {not saying you're old or anything lol}

A very good phrase mr. FRYandBender

“These are the times that try men's souls.”

Thomas Paine.

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"To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead." Thomas Paine

Military might doesn't make up for political stupidity.

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

Former President Theodore Roosevelt, 1918

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These are my principles. If you don't like them I have others. ~Groucho Marx~

Nice,very nice.

Some stuff from Churchill:
Although prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it be postponed.

He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.

Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war ***** must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

Clement Attlee (Labour, Deputy PM during WW2, PM immediately after)
Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking.

I should be a sad subject for any publicity expert. I have none of the qualities which create publicity.

Russian communism is the bastard child of Karl Marx and Catherine the Great.

Oliver Cromwell (Winner of the civil war, then made Lord Protector of England)
“i had rather have a plain russet-coated captain that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a gentleman and is nothing else.”

“i tell you we will cut off his head with the crown upon it .”

“no one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going.”

“the people would be just as noisy if they were going to see me hanged.”
(describing a crowd cheering him)

“necessity hath no law.”

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... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
I have the honour to be... your obliged humble servant, Anthony Henley
- MPs reply to constituent, mid 1700s