Richard Nixon

US President, Watergate

Modern influential 132 sayings

Sayings by Richard Nixon

The American people are not interested in my health. They're interested in their own health.

1973 — Private conversation, recorded on Oval Office tapes
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not going to allow the American people to be divided by those who would use the issue of race for political purposes.

1970 — Address to the Nation on Civil Rights
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest honor that can come to any man is to be chosen by the people to lead them.

1968 — Remarks after winning the presidential election
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I've always believed that you have to be tough to be a good President.

1977 — Interview with David Frost
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The American people want to be led. They want someone who will lead them.

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

You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference.

1962 — After losing the California gubernatorial race in 1962
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I don’t know why they call it ‘tricky Dick.’ I’ve never cheated on my wife.

1971 — Private conversation with aides
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I can see the day when you’ll have a black president, but I don’t believe he’ll come from the Republican Party.

1960s — Remark to his staff about race and politics
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Sock it to me?

1968 — Guest appearance on 'Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Jews are just a very aggressive and abrasive and obnoxious personality.

1971 — Private conversation caught on White House tapes
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t give a shit what happens. I want you all to stonewall it, let them plead the Fifth Amendment, cover-up, or anything else.

1973 — White House tapes discussing Watergate
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t like homosexuality. I don’t like it in women, and I don’t like it in men.

1971 — Private conversation with aides
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not a crook.

1973 — Press conference at Walt Disney World
Controversial Confirmed

The American people are not going to be stampeded by a bunch of wild-eyed, radical college students.

1970 — Remarks to staff, referring to anti-war protestors
Controversial Unverifiable

The average American is just like the child in the family. You give him some responsibility and he'll be all right.

1971 — Recorded conversation in the Oval Office, discussing welfare
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not going to be one of those who is going to sit around and cry about the mistakes of the past. What we've got to do is get on with the business of the future.

1974 — Remarks after resigning the presidency
Controversial Unverifiable

The American people want to believe in something. They want to believe in their country. They want to believe in their President.

1973 — Speech to the nation on Watergate
Controversial Unverifiable

We are all in this boat together, and we are either going to sink or we are going to swim.

1971 — Remarks to the press
Controversial Unverifiable

The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fires.

1962 — From his book, 'Six Crises'
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm sure that I don't have to tell you that the future of America depends on the future of our children.

1970 — Remarks at a White House Conference on Children
Controversial Unverifiable