Lyndon B. Johnson Quotes

The best state is that in which bad men are not allowed to hold office, and good men are not allowed to refuse office.

I am a patriot. I would think there are no politicians who are not patriots. Since I am a politician, I often get criticized as I try to exercise what I believe to be right. However, if you mind such criticism, I think you can't protect people's lives.

I'm sure that was the right step, even though, formally speaking, it may seem disadvantageous for a president to resign. But, looking into what is happening today and what is going to happen in the future, I think history will show I made the right decision.

There is a difference between the typical politician and the statesman. A typical politician is that person who tells people what people want to hear, while the statesman tells people what people need to know.

The President represents everybody and he sets the moral tone of the country.

The responsibility of a public official is to make the country work!

I have seen in the Halls of Congress more idealism, more humanness, more compassion, more profiles of courage than in any other institution that I have ever known.

The important thing is that we recognize our President's leadership, that he is not saying: I am going to walk away from this. He is saying: I am going to do the right thing.

I hope Mr. Obama has success.

I am considering two things on a daily basis: what is right to do and what is wrong to do in my role as President of my people. According to my conscience, I am trying to abide by the right. My vision is peace. My vision is prosperity.

I realized that becoming a doctor, I can only help a small community. But by becoming a politician, I can help my whole country.

I don't want to run for governor, but I don't think anyone should put public service out of the question because that's not what a good citizen does.

But I also hold the very strong view that republicans need to lead by example.

The American president has a peculiar leadership responsibility to speak out for freedom.

Now I know what a statesman is; he's a dead politician. We need more statesmen.

I have tremendous admiration for everyone who enters the political arena so long as their goal is to do what they believe is right for the people of New York.

You are beseeched most earnestly my dear Col. Harrison, to exert yourself in endeavoring to rescue your Country, by, (let me add) sending your ablest and best Men to Congress; these characters must not slumber, nor sleep at home, in such times of pressing danger; they must not content themselves in the enjoyment of places of honor or profit in their own Country, while the common interests of America are mouldering and sinking into irretrievable (if a remedy is not soon applied) ruin, in which theirs also must ultimately be involved.

The President was a responsibility beyond that of managing the government. He has a responsibility as a moral leader.

The trust that goes with public service is a heavy burden on those who would lead us.

The Presidential function is difficult and full of responsibility. It calls from the incumbent a plenitude of his physical vigor. I am aware I am no longer strong enough for the task. Wherefore, I resign.

I have seen in the Halls of Congress more idealism, more humaneness, more compassion, more profiles of courage than in any other institution that I have ever known.

The success of an elected official is doing what everyone knows needs to be done.

Of all our public men of today he stands first in my reverence & admiration, & the next one stands two-hundred-&-twenty-fifth. He is the only statesman we have now. ... Cleveland drunk is a more valuable asset to this country than the whole batch of the rest of our public men sober. He is high-minded; all his impulses are great & pure & fine. I wish we had another of this sort.

A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States.

Politicians can be cheered for the promises they make. Our country will be judged by the promises we keep.