In America any boy may become President and I suppose it's just one of the risks he takes.

Adlai E. Stevenson Jr. (1900 - 1965), Speech in Indianapolis, 26 Sept. 1952

There is a New America every morning when we wake up. It is upon us whether we will it or not.

Adlai E. Stevenson Jr. (1900 - 1965)

America's greatest strength, and its greatest weakness, is our belief in second chances, our belief that we can always start over, that things can be made better.

Anthony Walton

America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair.

Arnold Toynbee (1889 - 1975)

America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this.

Barack Obama (1961 - ), Nomination¹ Acceptance Speech, 08-28-08

I know starting careers in troubled times is a challenge, but it is also a privilege. Because it's moments like these that force us to try harder, dig deeper and to discover gifts we never knew we had. To find the greatness that lies within each of us. So don't ever shy away from that endeavor. Don't stop adding to your body of work. I can promise that you will be the better for that continued effort as will be this nation that we all love.

Barack Obama (1961 - ), Arizona State Commencement Speech, 2009

In recent years, we've become enamored with our own past success. Lulled² into complacency by the glitter of our own achievements. We've become accustomed to the title of Military Superpower, forgetting the qualities that got us there. We've become accustomed to our economic dominance in the world, forgetting that it wasn't reckless deals and get rich quick schemes that got us where we are, but hard work and smart ideas, quality products and wise investments.

Barack Obama (1961 - ), Arizona State Commencement Speech, 2009

That is the American story. People, just like you, following their passions, determined³ to meet the times on their own terms. They weren't doing it for the money. Their titles weren't fancy. But they changed the course of history and so can you.

Barack Obama (1961 - ), Arizona State Commencement Speech, 2009

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.

Bill Clinton (1946 - )

America's one of the finest countries anyone ever stole.

Bobcat Goldthwaite

There's the country of America, which you have to defend, but there's also the idea of America. America is more than just a country, it's an idea. An idea that's supposed to be contagious⁴.

Bono (1960 - ), Oprah Winfrey Show, 2002

I see America, not in the setting sun of a black night of despair ahead of us, I see America in the crimson⁵ light of a rising sun fresh from the burning, creative hand of God. I see great days ahead, great days possible to men and women of will and vision.

Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967)

The trouble with America is that there are far too many wide-open spaces surrounded by teeth.

Charles Luckman

America is the greatest, freest and most decent society in existence. It is an oasis⁶ of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism. This country, once an experiment unique in the world, is now the last best hope for the world.

Dinesh D'Souza

There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure.

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly⁷ enforced.

Frank Zappa (1940 - 1993)

America is therefore the land of the future, where, in the ages that lie before us, the burden of the World's History shall reveal itself.

Georg W. Hegel (1770 - 1831)

England and America are two countries separated by a common language.

George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

The business of America is not business. Neither is it war. The business of america is justice and securing the blessings⁸ of liberty.

George F. Will (1941 - )

America is a young country with an old mentality⁹.

George Santayana (1863 - 1952)

America has never been an empire. We may be the only great power in history that had the chance, and refused – preferring greatness to power and justice to glory.

George W. Bush (1946 - ), speech, November 19, 1999

America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens.

George W. Bush (1946 - ), Inaugural¹⁰ address, 2001

America will never run... And we will always be grateful that liberty has found such brave defenders¹¹.

George W. Bush (1946 - )

By heritage and by choice, the United States of America will make that stand.

George W. Bush (1946 - ), Speech to the United Nations, September 12, 2002

In the United States there is more space where nobody is than where anybody is. That is what makes America what it is.

Gertrude Stein (1874 - 1946), The Geographical¹² History of America (1936)

What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them.

Henry Ford¹³ II (1917 - 1987)

America - a great social and economic experiment, noble in motive¹⁴ and far-reaching in purpose.

Herbert Hoover (1874 - 1964)

I'm not going to quit. Why should I quit? This country is worth fighting for.

Hillary Rodham Clinton (1948 - ), Ellen DeGeneres interview, 04-07-08

This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do.

Jack¹⁵ Kerouac (1922 - 1969), On the Road

In a country as big as the United States, you can find fifty examples of anything.

Jeffery F. Chamberlain