Funny, Ironic Wise Quotes From U.S. Presidents
Fun Presidential Words & Quips of Truman Clinton Bush Reagan Obama
Feb 18, 2009
The United States is fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs as the economy struggles to pull out of a deep recession. Businesses are closing their doors or seeking a federal bail-out.
Many Americans are looking to one person to fix it all: the President of the United States. Often considered to be the most powerful man in the world, the president commands international attention. Every single word he speaks comes under scrutiny.
Some of the words are wise, while others are lies. Still others are gaffes that can define a president's legacy. From George Washington to Barack Obama, let's take a look at some of the funniest, wisest and most revealing presidential remarks made throughout America’s history.
Presidential Quotes to Get You Laughing and Thinking
"For seven and a half years I've worked alongside President Reagan. We've had triumphs. Made some mistakes. We've had some sex...uh...setbacks." ~ George H.W. Bush in 1988
“No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure.” ~ James Knox Polk in a December 29, 1848 diary entry
“I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.” ~ Bill Clinton at a White House news conference on January 26, 1998
“I did have a relationship with Ms. Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong.” ~ Bill Clinton during nationally televised speech on August 17, 1998
"I may be president of the United States, but my private life is nobody's damned business." ~ Chester Arthur
"You know, if I were a single man, I might ask that mummy out. That's a good-looking mummy" ~ Bill Clinton, remarking about an Incan mummy on display at the National Geographic museum
“Sure there are dishonest men in local government. But there are dishonest men in national government too.” ~ Richard Nixon
“Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." ~ George W. Bush during a September 6, 2004 speech in Poplar Bluff, Missouri
"I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting." ~ Ronald Reagan
“Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.” ~ John Quincy Adams
"If you can't convince them, confuse them." ~ Harry Truman
"They misunderestimated me." ~ George W. Bush in Bentonville, Arkansas on November 6, 2000
“Being president is like being a jackass in a hailstorm. There's nothing to do but to stand there and take it.” ~ Lyndon Johnson
“When the President does it, that means it's not illegal.” ~ Richard Nixon, in a 1977 interview with David Frost
“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” ~ George Washington in an October 30, 1791 letter
“Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jor-El to save the Planet Earth.” ~ Barack Obama joking at an October 2008 charity event
"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." ~ Richard Nixon at a November 17, 1973 news conference
"My fellow Americans. I'm pleased to announce that I've signed legislation outlawing the Soviet Union. We begin bombing in five minutes." ~ Ronald Reagan joking during an August 1984 microphone check
“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
"I was under medication when I made the decision to burn the tapes." ~ Richard Nixon
“It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't.” ~ Martin Van Buren
Be Ready for the Next One
So, the next time a president speaks, pay attention. You might hear a Freudian slip, a clever quip or a whopper of a fib. The president just may be the most powerful man on the planet, but remember, he is human.
Check out many more funny and interesting Presidential Quotes.
Sources for this article include archives from the New York Times and Washington Post, QuotationsPage.com, C-SPAN, greatquotes.com, thinkexist.com and ourwhitehouse.org
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