Barack Obama

[on Michelle] After about 15 years I finally figured out that she’s always right!

Don’t just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.

[on Michelle] Like a lot of political spouses, the role was thrust upon her. But I always knew she’d be incredible at it, and put her own unique stamp on the job. That’s because who you see is who she is-the brilliant, funny, generous woman who, for whatever reason, agreed to marry me. I think people gravitate to her because they see themselves in her-a dedicated mom, a good friend, and someone who’s not afraid to poke a little fun at herself from time to time.

And in my own life, in my own small way, I’ve tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That’s why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us – no matter what our age or background or walk of life – each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.

What Michelle has done is to remind me every day of the virtues of order.

I’m a history buff, and I know that big changes take time. But I also know that, setting politics aside, usually things are never as good as you think they are or as bad as you think they are. And that has served me well temperamentally.

On Oct. 3, 1992, Barack and I were married in Chicago – and every day since, I’ve grown prouder and more in love with him.

If you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, you’ll never end up with a nag.

[on Michelle] Like a lot of political spouses, the role was thrust upon her. But I always knew she’d be incredible at it, and put her own unique stamp on the job. That’s because who you see is who she is-the brilliant, funny, generous woman who, for whatever reason, agreed to marry me. I think people gravitate to her because they see themselves in her-a dedicated mom, a good friend, and someone who’s not afraid to poke a little fun at herself from time to time.

Call no man unhappy until he is married.

I should like to know what is the proper function of women, if it is not to make reasons for husbands to stay at home, and still stronger reasons for bachelors to go out.

[on Michelle] After about 15 years I finally figured out that she’s always right!

It has to be a true partnership, and you have to really really like and respect the person you’re married to because it is a hard road.

When two people are under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive, and most transient of passions, they are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal, and exhausting condition continuously until death do them part.

Obviously I couldn’t have done anything that I’ve done without Michelle… not only has she been a great first lady, she is just my rock. I count on her in so many ways every single day.

By all means marry. If you get a good wife you will become happy, and if you get a bad one you will become a philosopher.

My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you.

It is not from reason and prudence that people marry, but from inclination.

Marriage is the best state for man in general, and every man is a worst man in proportion to the level he is unfit for marriage.

Michelle’s like Beyoncé in that song ‘Let me upgrade ya!’ She upgraded me.

In marriage do thou be wise: prefer the person before money, virtue before beauty, the mind before the body; then thou hast a wife, a friend, a companion, a second self.