Ronald Reagan

My philosophy in life is this: if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose – somehow we win out.

If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born.

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.

I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.

Anything too stupid to be said is sung.

A jest often decides matters of importance more effectual and happily than seriousness.

Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.

We are all alike, on the inside.

But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.

He who praises everybody, praises nobody.

Were it not for imagination a man would be as happy in arms of a chambermaid as of a duchess.

Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be.

There is no rule more invariable than that we are paid for our suspicions by finding what we suspect.

We women are always in danger of living too exclusively in the affections; and though our affections are perhaps the best gifts we have, we ought also to have our share of the more independent life — some joy in things for their own sake. It is piteous to see the helplessness of some sweet women when their affections are disappointed — because all their teaching has been, that they can only delight in study of any kind for the sake of a personal love. They have never contemplated an independent delight in ideas as an experience which they could confess without being laughed at. Yet surely women need this defense against passionate affliction even more than men.

Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.

To be, or not to be; that is the bare bodkin That makes calamity of so long life;

They that have grown old in a single state are generally found to be morose, fretful and captious; tenacious of their own practices and maxims; soon offended by contradiction or negligence; and impatient of any association but with those that will watch their nod, and submit themselves to unlimited authority.

No man ever became great or good except through many and great mistakes.

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting – a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.