Richard Nixon

US President, Watergate

Modern influential 132 sayings

Sayings by Richard Nixon

When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.

1977 — Interview with David Frost
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I brought myself down. I gave them a sword and they stuck it in. And they twisted it with relish. And I guess if I had been in their position, I'd have done the same thing.

1977 — Interview with David Frost
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

People have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook. I've earned everything I've got.

1973 — Press conference at Walt Disney World
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't think a man should be President unless he is a man of honor. And I don't think he should be President if he is a coward.

1974 — Remarks during his farewell address to his staff
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself.

1974 — Remarks during his farewell address to his staff
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The American people are good people. They have a good heart. And when they get to know you, they'll like you. And if they don't like you, it's your fault.

Circa 1970 — Reported by H.R. Haldeman in 'The Ends of Power'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker.

1973 — Remarks upon signing the Paris Peace Accords
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Solutions are not the answer.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited as an example of his sometimes convoluted thinking
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I can only say, that I am not a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interest of America first.

1974 — Resignation speech
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The average American doesn't want to know about the details of foreign policy. They just want to know that we're strong and that we're safe.

1972 — Private conversation, recorded on Oval Office tapes
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I believe that our young people, who are not even interested in politics, are interested in the future.

1969 — Remarks to the Young Americans for Freedom
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The press is the enemy.

1972 — Private conversation, recorded on Oval Office tapes
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I would like to think that I have left a legacy of peace for the world.

1983 — Interview with Frank Gannon
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We must not be afraid to be great.

1970 — Address to the Nation on the State of the Union
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The strong must be just as well as strong. And the just must be strong as well as just.

1970 — Address to the Nation on the State of the Union
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't mind a little dirt. It's good for you.

Unknown — Attributed, often used to describe his political style
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body.

1974 — Resignation speech
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There are no easy answers, but there are simple choices.

1962 — From his book 'Six Crises'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker. This honor now belongs to America.

1973 — Remarks on the Vietnam Peace Agreement
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I've always been an underdog. I've always been a fighter.

1977 — Interview with David Frost
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable