United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches Quotes

“But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.”
― Thomas Jefferson, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“the government both in the executive and the legislative branches must carry out in good faith the platforms upon which the party was entrusted with power. But the government is that of the whole people; the party is the instrument through which policies are determined and men chosen to bring them into being. The animosities of elections should have no place in our Government, for government must concern itself alone with the common weal.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“Things in life will not always run smoothly. Sometimes we will be rising toward the heights—then all will seem to reverse itself and start downward. The great fact to remember is that the trend of civilization itself is forever upward; that a line drawn through the middle of the peaks and the valleys of the centuries always has an upward trend.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“The chief duty of the National Government in connection with the currency of the country is to coin money and declare its value. Grave doubts have been entertained whether Congress is authorized by the Constitution to make any form of paper money legal tender. The present issue of United States notes has been sustained by the necessities of war; but such paper should depend for its value and currency upon its convenience in use and its prompt redemption in coin at the will of the holder, and not upon its compulsory circulation. These notes are not money, but promises to pay money.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“Harrison’s 8,400-word inaugural speech was the longest ever, while his 30-day Presidency was the shortest.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“How incredible it is that in this fragile existence, we should hate and destroy one another.”
― Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“Is our world gone? We say "Farewell." Is a new world coming? We welcome it, and we will bend it to the hopes of man.”
― Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“In 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, they both died. They died on the same day, within a few hours of each other, and that day was the Fourth of July.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“With a noontime temperature of 55o, January 20, 1981 (Reagan’s first inaugural) was the warmest on record.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.      My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“The men who mine coal and fire furnaces and balance ledgers and turn lathes and pick cotton and heal the sick and plant corn—all serve as proudly, and as profitably, for America as the statesmen who draft treaties and the legislators who enact laws.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for. Nature still offers her bounty and human efforts have multiplied it. Plenty is at our doorstep, but a generous use of it languishes in the very sight of the supply.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“Harding was the first sitting Senator to be elected President, and the first to ride to and from his Inauguration in an automobile.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“however much such loans may temporarily relieve the situation, the Government is still indebted for the amount of the surplus thus accrued, which it must ultimately pay, while its ability to pay is not strengthened, but weakened by a continued deficit.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“A special act of Congress enabled King to take his oath of office in Cuba—the only President or Vice President to be sworn in outside the United States—later in March. King returned home to Alabama in early April and died two days later, the only Vice President to never make it to the national capital during his term of office.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“Pierce was the first President to “affirm” rather than “swear” his oath. He was also the first to have memorized his inaugural speech.”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“If we fail now, we shall have forgotten in abundance what we learned in hardship: that democracy rests on faith, that freedom asks more than it gives, and that the judgment of God is harshest on those who are most favored.”
― Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing.”
― Ronald Reagan, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“America will not pretend that jailed dissidents prefer their chains, or that women welcome humiliation and servitude.”
― George W. Bush, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“If there's one word to describe Atlantic City, it's Big Business. Or two words--Big Business.”
― Donald Trump, Inaugural Addresses of U.S. Presidents 1789-2017: The Most Up-To-Date Collection Available

“Nixon became the first (and to date, only) former Vice President to be elected President (every other Vice President who moved into the Presidency either succeeded upon his predecessor’s death, or won election directly from the Vice Presidency).”
― George Washington, The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches: from George Washington to Barack Obama

“We will extend our arms to you[world] if you unclench your fists.”
― Barack Obama , US Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“Because our strengths are so great, we can afford to appraise our weaknesses with candor.”
― Richard M. Nixon, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“Only a few short weeks ago, we shared the glory of man's first sight of the world as God sees it, as a single sphere reflecting light in the darkness. ... In that moment of surpassing technological triumph, men turned their thoughts toward home and humanity, seeing in that far perspective that man's destiny on earth is not divisible.”
― Richard M. Nixon, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“You have given me a great responsibility—to stay close to you, to be worthy of you, and to exemplify what you are. Let us create together a new national spirit of unity and trust. Your strength can compensate for my weakness, and your wisdom can help to minimize my mistakes.”
― Jimmy Carter, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“You, my fellow Americans, have forced the spring. Now, we must do the work the season demands.”
― Bill Clinton, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor.”
― George W. Bush, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“We find the fullness of life not only in options but in commitments.”
― George W. Bush, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses

“The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born.”
― George W. Bush, U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses