101 quotes
I do not find it easy to send the flower of our youth, our finest young men, into battle.
Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty.
Our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man.
The American Promise (1965)
There are no problems which we cannot solve together, and there are very few which any of us can settle by himself.
At times history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man's unending search for freedom.
The American Promise (1965)
Eisenhower used to tell me that this place was a prison. I never felt freer.
Our society is illuminated by the spiritual insights of the Hebrew prophets. America and Israel have a common love of human freedom, and they have a common faith in a democratic way of life.
Our government is united in its determination to take all necessary measures in support of freedom and in defense of peace in Southeast Asia.
It's probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.
Son, when I appoint a nigger to the court, I want everyone to know he's a nigger.
For it is not enough just to give men rights. They must be able to use those rights in their personal pursuit of happiness.
Voting Rights Act signing speech (1965)
A people divided over the right to vote can never build a Nation united.
Special message to Congress on the right to vote (1965)
All Americans must have the privileges of citizenship regardless of race.
The American Promise (1965)
I'm going to have to bring up the nigger bill again.
I have always believed that freedom of information is so vital that only the national security, not the desire of public officials or private citizens, should determine when it must be restricted.
Statement on the Freedom of Information Act (1966)
Every man should know that his conversations, his correspondence, and his personal life are private. I have urged Congress—except when the Nation's security is at stake—to take action to that end.
For the first time in our history it is possible to conquer poverty.
We cannot have government for all the people until we first make certain it is government of and by all the people.
Special message to Congress on the right to vote (1965)
The purpose of protecting the life of our Nation and preserving the liberty of our citizens is to pursue the happiness of our people. Our success in that pursuit is the test of our success as a Nation.
Make no mistake about it. I don't want a man in here to go back home thinking otherwise; we are going to win.