89 quotes
One of the difficulties with all our institutions is the fact that we've emphasized the reward instead of the service.
In this shrinking world, it is futile to seek safety behind geographical barriers. Real security will be found only in law and in justice.
Address to Congress (1945)
We are in a troublesome period, and some "nonsense" as you term it — but this is a great nation with a high purpose, and we shall come to our senses and resume our course.
Today, America has become one of the most powerful forces for good on earth. We must keep it so.
Address to Congress (1945)
Whenever the press quits abusing me I know I'm in the wrong pew. I don't mind it because when they throw bricks at me—I'm a pretty good shot myself and I usually throw 'em back at 'em.
We must be prepared to pay the price for peace, or assuredly we shall pay the price of war.
Special Message to the Congress on the Threat to the Freedom of Europe (1948)
There isn't any difference in totalitarian states. I don't care what you call them, Nazi, Communist or Fascist...
I sincerely wish that every member of Congress could visit the displaced person's camp in Germany and Austria and see just what is happening to 500,000 human beings through no fault of their own.
People are very much wrought up about the Communist bugaboo... the country is perfectly safe so far as Communism is concerned—we have too many sane people.
I don't give a damn about "The Missouri Waltz" but I can't say it out loud because it's the song of Missouri. It's as bad as "The Star-Spangled Banner" so far as music is concerned.
If we do not want to die together in war, we must learn to live together in peace.
I was the only calm one in the house. You see I've been shot at by experts.
We must help to the limits of our strength. And we will.
Report on the Potsdam Conference (1945)
The Committee shall continue to exist until such time as the President shall terminate its existence by Executive order.
Executive Order 9981 (1948)
The Russians are liars – you can't trust them. At Potsdam they agreed to everything and broke their word. It's too bad the second world power is like this, but that's the way it is, and we must keep our strength.
We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans. We shall continue to use it until we completely destroy Japan's power to make war. Only a Japanese surrender will stop us.
Report on the Potsdam Conference (1945)
This is a Christian nation.
The external threat to liberty should not drive us into suppressing liberty at home. Those who want the Government to regulate matters of the mind and spirit are like men who are so afraid of being murdered that they commit suicide to avoid assassination.
The people can never understand why the President does not use his powers to make them behave. Well all the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.
Any man who sees Europe now must realize that victory in a great war is not something you win once and for all, like victory in a ball game. Victory in a great war is something that must be won and kept won.
Report on the Potsdam Conference (1945)