I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me. Gerald R. Ford More Quotes by Gerald R. Ford More Quotes From Gerald R. Ford I am a Ford, not a Lincoln. Gerald R. Ford presidential Teddy Roosevelt... once said, 'Speak softly and carry a big stick.' Jimmy Carter wants to speak loudly and carry a fly swatter. Gerald R. Ford speak sticks want Let us remember that our national unity is a most priceless asset. Gerald R. Ford priceless unity remember Even though this is late in an election year, there is no way we can go forward except together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people's urgent needs. We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together. Gerald R. Ford winning people years We have come tardily to the tremendous task of cleaning up our environment. We should have moved with similar zeal at least a decade ago. But no purpose is served by post-mortems. With visionary zeal but the greatest realism, we must now address ourselves to the vast problems that confront us. Gerald R. Ford tasks purpose should-have Compromise is the oil that makes governments go. Gerald R. Ford oil government president As I rejected amnesty, so I reject revenge. I ask all Americans who ever asked for goodness and mercy in their lives, who ever sought forgiveness for their trespasses, to join in rehabilitating all the casualties of the tragic conflict of the past. Gerald R. Ford patriotic revenge past All my children have spoken for themselves since they first learned to speak, and not always with my advance approval, and I expect that to continue in the future. Gerald R. Ford appreciate children firsts Frankly, I've never felt voting to be all that essential to the process. Gerald R. Ford voting essentials process It is good to be back in the Peoples House. But this cannot be a real homecoming. Under the Constitution, I now belong to the executive branch. The Supreme Court has even ruled that I am the executive branchhead, heart, and hand. Gerald R. Ford real heart hands This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts. Gerald R. Ford hurt heart history We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together. Gerald R. Ford backwards unity together The power and diversity of the Armed Forces, active Guard and Reserve, the resolve of our fellow citizens, the flexibility in our command to navigate international waters that remain troubled are all essential to our security. Gerald R. Ford diversity citizens water When a man is asked to make a speech, the first thing he has to decide is what to say. Gerald R. Ford speech men firsts Too often critics seem more intent on seeking new ways to alter Congress than to truly learn how it functions. They might well profit from the advice of Thomas Huxley, who said a century ago: Sit down before facts as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notionor you shall learn nothing. Gerald R. Ford giving-up advice children I was dumbfounded by the stupidity of the Watergate break-in. Gerald R. Ford watergate stupidity break Obviously, it's a great privilege and pleasure to be here at the Yale Law School Sesquicentennial Convocation. And I defy anyone to say that and chew gum at the same time. Gerald R. Ford yale funny school The Constitution is the bedrock of all our freedoms; guard and cherish it; keep honor and order in your own house; and the republic will endure. Gerald R. Ford honor house order The length of one's days matters less than the love of one's family and friends. Gerald R. Ford family-friends family-and-friends matter I believe that truth is the glue that holds government together, not only our Government but civilization itself. That bond, though strained, is unbroken at home and abroad. In all my public and private acts as your President, I expect to follow my instincts of openness and candor with full confidence that honesty is always the best policy in the end. My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Gerald R. Ford honesty home believe
