Americans can eat garbage, provided you sprinkle it liberally with ketchup, mustard, chili sauce, Tabasco sauce, cayenne pepper, or any other condiment which destroys the original flavor of the dish
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
You can always count on Americans to do the right thing — after they’ve tried everything else.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
American consumers have no problem with carcinogens, but they will not purchase any product, including floor wax, that has fat in it.
—Dave Barry (b.1947) American Humorist, Columnist
The true test of the American ideal is whether we’re able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them. Whether chance of birth or circumstance decides life’s big winners and losers, or whether we build a community where, at the very least, everyone has a chance to work hard, get ahead, and reach their dreams.
—Barack Obama (b.1961) American Head of State, Academic, Politician, Author
Americans are like a rich father who wishes he knew how to give his sons the hardships that made him rich.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
When good Americans die they go to Paris.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
We can have no “50-50” allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
It is in the American tradition to stand up for one’s rights – even if the new way to stand up for one’s rights is to sit down
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Americans … still believe in an America where anything’s possible—they just don’t think their leaders do.
—Barack Obama (b.1961) American Head of State, Academic, Politician, Author
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
When there are starving people in the world, it seems wrong that so many of us Americans eat as much for entertainment as for nourishment.
—Andy Rooney (b.1919) American Writer, Humorist, TV Personality
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
—Barack Obama (b.1961) American Head of State, Academic, Politician, Author
Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn’t block traffic.
—Dan Rather (b.1931) American Newscaster, Author
We [Americans] are the lavishest and showiest and most luxury-loving people on the earth; and at our masthead we fly one true and honest symbol, the gaudiest flag the world has ever seen.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issuance of their currency, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn’t give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
We Americans have so much potential. We just need to cultivate an environment that allows us to let go of our Cro-Magnon nationalism and start living like citizens of earth.
—Steve Pavlina (b.1971) American Motivational Speaker
Any American who is prepared to run for president should automatically, by definition, be disqualified from ever doing so.
—Gore Vidal (1925–48) American Novelist, Essayist, Journalist, Playwright
I ask that all Americans demonstrate in their personal and public lives…the high ethical standards that are essential to good character and to the continued success of our nation.
—Bill Clinton (b.1946) American Head of State, Lawyer, Public Speaker
There is nothing the matter with Americans except their ideals. The real American is all right; it is the ideal American who is all wrong.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Whatever else an American believes or disbelieves about himself, he is absolutely sure he has a sense of humor
—E. B. White (1985–99) American Essayist, Humorist
A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won’t cross the street to vote in a national election.
—Burton Hillis (William E. Vaughan) (1915–77) American Columnist, Author
The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Americans, indeed all free men, remember that in the final choice a soldier’s pack is not so heavy a burden as a prisoner’s chains.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The American spirit wears no political label. In service to others and yes, in sacrifice for our country, there are no Republicans; there are no Democrats; there are only Americans.
—John Kerry (b.1943) American Politician, Diplomat
I think we Americans tend to put too high a price on unanimity, as if there were something dangerous and illegitimate about honest differences of opinion honestly expressed by honest men.
—J. William Fulbright (1905–95) American Politician
The American arrives in Paris with a few French phrases he has culled from a conversational guide or picked up from a friend who owns a beret.
—Fred Allen (1894–1956) American Humorist, Radio Personality
Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) French Historian, Political Scientist
That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hiring somebody’s son. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted—or at least, most of the time.
—Barack Obama (b.1961) American Head of State, Academic, Politician, Author