Skip to content

Barack Obama on Government

born 1961 United States

← All quotes by Barack Obama

10 quotes

Treat people with respect, whoever they are, and expect your governments to treat everybody with respect. And if you do that, then you’re going to be okay.

Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Town Hall (2014)

Citizenship demands a sense of common purpose; participation in the hard work of self-government; an obligation to serve to our communities.

Sixth State of the Union Address (2014)

But history tells us that true progress is only possible where governments exist to serve their people, and not the other way around.

Cape Town University Address (2013)

If Selma taught us anything, it’s that our work is never done. The American experiment in self-government gives work and purpose to each generation.

Bloody Sunday Speech (2015)

I am a firm believer that any legitimate government has to be based on rule of law and a recognition that all people are equal under the law.

But the government collection and storage of such bulk data also creates a potential for abuse.

Review of Signals Intelligence Speech (2014)

Gabby called it "Congress on Your Corner" — just an updated version of government of and by and for the people.

Tucson Memorial Address (2011)

When I was in Cairo, shortly after I was elected President, I said that all governments must maintain power through consent, not coercion.

Remarks on Egyptian protests (2011)

Our government shouldn’t make promises we cannot keep — but we must keep the promises we’ve already made.

Fifth State of the Union Address (2013)

That’s precisely what the founders left us: the power to adapt to changing times. They left us the keys to a system of self-government – the tool to do big and important things together that we could not possibly do alone.

Commencement Address at Ohio State University (2013)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Barack Obama (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.