Inspirational Quotes by Lyndon B. Johnson (American Head of State)

We must open the doors of opportunity.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Opportunity

In the last few decades entire new categories of waste have come to plague and menace the American scene. Pollution is growing at a rapid rate. Pollution destroys beauty and menaces health. It cuts down on efficiency, reduces property values and raises taxes. Almost all these wastes and pollutions are the result of activities carried on for the benefit of man. A prime national goal must be an environment that is pleasing to the senses and healthy to live in. Our Government is already doing much in this field. We have made significant progress. But more must be done.
—Lyndon B. Johnson

The poor suffer twice at the rioter’s hands. First, his destructive fury scars their neighborhood; second, the atmosphere of accommodation and consent is changed to one of hostility and resentment.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Tyranny

Heck by the time a man scratches his behind, clears his throat, and tells me how smart he is, we’ve already wasted fifteen minutes.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Time Management, Time

Every night before I turn out the lights to sleep, I ask myself this question: Have I done everything that I can … Have I done enough?
—Lyndon B. Johnson

Evil acts of the past are never rectified by evil acts of the present.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Evil

Boys, I may not know much, but I know chicken shit from chicken salad.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Knowledge

The men who have guided the destiny of the United States have found the strength for their tasks by going to their knees. This private unity of public men and their God is an enduring source of reassurance for the people of America.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Prayer

We don’t propose to sit here in our rocking chair with our hands folded and let the Communists set up any government in the Western Hemisphere.
—Lyndon B. Johnson

As man draws nearer to the stars, why should he not also draw nearer to his neighbor?
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Neighbors

Success only feeds the appetite of aggression.
—Lyndon B. Johnson

The hungry world cannot be fed until and unless the growth of its resources and the growth of its population come into balance. Each man and woman-and each nation—must make decisions of conscience and policy in the face of this great problem.
—Lyndon B. Johnson

It is the common failing of totalitarian regimes that they cannot really understand the nature of our democracy. They mistake dissent for disloyalty. They mistake restlessness for a rejection of policy. They mistake a few committees for a country. They misjudge individual speeches for public policy.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Government, Democracy

I pray we are still a young and courageous nation, that we have not grown so old and so fat and so prosperous that all we can think about is to sit back with our arms around our money bags. If we choose to do that I have no doubt that the smoldering fires will burst into flame and consume us—dollars and all.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: America

The exercise of power in this century has meant for all of us in the United States not arrogance, but agony.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Power

Our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man. Because all Americans just must have the right to vote. And we are going to give them that right. All Americans must have the privileges of citizenship regardless of race. And they are going to have those privileges of citizenship regardless of race.
—Lyndon B. Johnson

Every child must be encouraged to get as much education as he has the ability to take. We want this not only for his sake but for the nations sake. Nothing matters more to the future of our country: not military preparedness for armed might is worthless if we lack the brain power to build a world of peace; not our productive economy for we cannot sustain growth without trained manpower; not our democratic system of government for freedom is fragile if citizens are ignorant.
—Lyndon B. Johnson

In the Great Society, work shall be an outlet for mans interests and desires. Each individual shall have full opportunity to use his capacities in employment which satisfies personally and contributes generally to the quality of the Nations life.
—Lyndon B. Johnson

Son, in politics you’ve got to learn that overnight chicken shit can turn to chicken salad.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Politics, Politicians

Being president is like being a jackass in a hailstorm. There’s nothing to do but to stand there and take it.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Presidency

Jerry Ford is so dumb he can’t fart and chew gum at the same time.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Presidency

The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Voting

A compassionate government keeps faith with the trust of the people and cherishes the future of their children.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Government

When things haven’t gone well for you, call in a secretary or a staff man and chew him out. You will sleep better and they will appreciate the attention.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Attention

A rioter with a Molotov cocktail in his hands is not fighting for civil rights any more than a Klansman with a sheet on his back and a mask on his face.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Tyranny

There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Unity

I never trust a man unless I’ve got his pecker in my pocket.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Trust

You never want to give a man a present when he’s feeling good. You want to do it when he’s down.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Manners

Doing what’s right isn’t the problem. It is knowing what’s right.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Leadership, Leaders

Where legitimate opportunities are closed, illegitimate opportunities are seized. Whatever opens opportunity and hope will help to prevent crime and foster responsibility.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Opportunity

Wondering Whom to Read Next?

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• Richard Nixon American Head of State
• John F. Kennedy American Head of State
• Ronald Reagan American Head of State
• Jimmy Carter American Head of State
• Theodore Roosevelt American Head of State
• George H. W. Bush American Head of State
• Herbert Hoover American Statesman
• Dwight D. Eisenhower American Head of State
• Calvin Coolidge American Head of State