Home / Authors / George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George W. Bush Quotes

43rd U.S. President

George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States, born on July 6, 1946. His presidency was marked by significant events such as the September 11 attacks and the Iraq War. Bush's political career and governance philosophy have been widely discussed and debated.

Filter quotes by topic

All People Political Humor America Political Humor Bushism World President Thinking Ifs Knows Nations Country States War Way Want Believe Funny Bush United

Famous George W. Bush Quotes

“Foreign fighters are travelling into Iraq to make it a front line in the war on terror. And I would rather defeat them there than face them in our own country.”

War Country Defeat Terror Fighter War On Terror

Author:George W. Bush

“I'm absolutely confident that the actions we took in Iraq are influencing reformers and freedom lovers in the greater Middle East. And I believe that you're going to see the rise of democracy in many countries in the broader Middle East, which will lay the foundation for peace.”

Believe Country Action I Believe Democracy Influence Lovers

Author:George W. Bush

“We know that the African regimes, many African regimes have failed their people and many Africans want regime change, and there are a lot of African leaders who make promises but don't carry them out. I mean, the progress - I mean, it is noble for the rich countries to help Africa, but then the question is: What are African leaders themselves doing to help their own people?”

People Mean Country Helping Leader Rich Progress Promise

Author:George W. Bush

“The United States and rich countries cannot change Africa from within. It has to impose reform on Africa; it has to come from within.”

Author:George W. Bush

“We have to find the origin of the problem. The origin of the problem in many African countries is that you've got state bureaucracies which are too bloated.”

Country Problem Bureaucracy

Author:George W. Bush

“Uganda's budget is 40 percent aid-dependent. Ghana's budget is 50 percent aid-dependent. Even if you cancel the debt, you don't eliminate that aid dependency. This is what I mean by getting to the fundamental root causes of the problem. Government, the state sectors in many African countries need to be slashed so that, you know, you put a greater deal of reliance on the private sector. The private sector is the engine of growth. Africa's economy needs to grow but they're not growing.”

Mean Country Problem Growth Economy Aids Reliance

Author:George W. Bush

“In Africa, you only have an independent media in only eight African countries, so there is very little transparency. The best gift that rich countries can give Africa is Radio Free Africa and Radio Free Africa will do for Africa what Radio Free Europe did for Europe.”

Giving Country Rich Independent Transparency Best Gift

Author:George W. Bush

“I hear a lot of talk about civil war. I'm concerned about that, of course. And I've talked to a lot of people about it. And what I've found from my talks are that the Iraqis want a unified country and that the Iraqi leadership is determined to thwart the efforts of the extremists and the radicals.”

People War Country Effort Security Concerned Determined Radical Civil War Extremist

Author:George W. Bush

“The world must understand that it is the time to come together to address the root cause of the problem, and the problem is you have a state within a state. You had people launch attacks on a sovereign nation without the consent of the government in the country in which they are lodged.”

People World Country Problem Together

Author:George W. Bush

“Any sign that says we're going to leave Iraq before the job is done simply emboldens terrorists and creates a certain amount of doubt for people, so they won't take the risk necessary to help a civil society evolve in the country.”

People Country Done Helping Doubt Risk Terrorist Evolve Civil Society

Author:George W. Bush

“These aren't joyous times when we have war in Iraq. These are challenging times, and they're difficult times, and they're straining the psyche of our country. I understand that.”

War Country Difficult Challenges Difficult Times Joyous

Author:George W. Bush

“If you believe that the job of the federal government is to secure this country, it's really important for you to understand that success in Iraq is part of securing the country.”

Believe Important Country If You Believe

Author:George W. Bush

“We've got to have all those tools. The Patriot Act tearing down those walls between intel and law enforcement are a necessary part of protecting the country. But, in the long term, the only way to defeat this terrorist bunch is through the spread of liberty and freedom. And that's a big challenge. I understand it's a challenge. It requires commitment and patience and persistence.”

Long Country Term Challenges Liberty Wall Commitment Defeat Spread Terrorist Persistence Long Term Patriot Law Enforcement Patriot Act

Author:George W. Bush

“Ultimately, success is going to be up to the reformers, just like in Iraq. It's going to require Iraqis, the will of Iraqis to succeed. I understand that. And that's why our strategy is to give them the tools necessary to defend themselves and help them defend themselves; in this case right now mainly in Baghdad, but as well around the country.”

Giving Country Helping Succeed Strategy

Author:George W. Bush

“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush, 2004, Book 2, July 1 to September 30, 2004

“Because European countries now resolve differences through negotiation and consensus, there's sometimes an assumption that the entire world functions in the same way. But let us never forget ... beyond Europe's borders, in a world where oppression and violence are very real, liberation is still a moral goal, and freedom and security still need defenders.”

“Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country.”

Country Able Practice September Bushism Missouri Bluffs

Author:George W. Bush

“We'll let our friends be the peacekeepers and the great country called America will be the pacemakers.”

Country Humor America Political Bushism Great Country Peacekeepers Pacemakers

Author:George W. Bush

“Leadership to me means duty, honor, country. It means character, and it means listening from time to time.”

Mean Country Character Leadership Duty Listening Honor Duty And Honor

Author:George W. Bush

“I know it's going to be the private sector that leads this country out of the current economic times we're in. You can spend your money better than the government can spend your money.”

Knows Country Government Economic Currents Private Sector

Author:George W. Bush

“I understand everybody in this country doesn't agree with the decisions I've made. And I made some tough decisions. But people know where I stand.”

People Knows Made Country Decision Tough Agree Tough Decisions

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush, 2004, Book 2, July 1 to September 30, 2004

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush, 2004, Book 2, July 1 to September 30, 2004

“The deliberate and deadly attacks which were carried out yesterday against our country were more than acts of terror. They were acts of war.”

War Country History Terror Yesterday Our Country Reincarnation Deliberate Acts Of Terror

Book:Decision Points

Source: Decision Points

“There's no bigger task than protecting the homeland of our country.”

Country Tasks Bigger Our Country Patriot Homeland Fatherland Motherland

Author:George W. Bush

“Great tragedy has come to us, and we are meeting it with the best that is in our country, with courage and concern for others because this is America. This is who we are.”

Country America Courage Concern Tragedy Meetings Our Country Who We Are Great Tragedy Concern For Others

Author:George W. Bush

“I would like to be remembered as a guy who had a set of priorities, and was willing to live by those priorities. In terms of accomplishments, my biggest accomplishment is that I kept the country safe amidst a real danger.”

Real Country Guy Term Danger Willing Safe Priorities Remembered Accomplishment Live By

Author:George W. Bush

“I have zero desire, just so you know, to be in the limelight. I don't think it's good for the country to have a former president criticize his successor. You're not going to see me giving my opinions in the public arena, until I start selling my book. I'm going to emerge then submerge.”

Thinking Knows Giving Book Country Desire President Opinion Selling Former Criticize Zero Arena Successors Limelight

Author:George W. Bush

“So, for example, a country was into recession right after I was sworn in, a dot-com bust had taken place. Then the attacks of September the 11th, and then of course the great financial meltdown in the - the fundamental question facing any presidency is how do you deal with the hand you’re dealt?”

Country Hands Courses Deals Taken Example Fundamentals Financial September Presidency Recessions Dots Meltdowns Great Financial

Author:George W. Bush

“Our Founding Fathers understood that our country would survive and flourish if our Nation was committed to good character and an unyielding dedication to liberty and justice for all.”

Ifs Country Character Father Nations Justice Liberty Understood Committed Our Country Dedication Founding Our Founding Fathers Good Character Unyielding Liberty And Justice Justice For All Liberty And Justice For All

Author:George W. Bush

“It says something about our country that people around the world are willing to leave their homes and leave their families and risk everything to come to America. Their talent and hard work and love of freedom have helped make America the leader of the world. And our generation will ensure that America remains a beacon of liberty and the most hope fill society this world has ever known.”

“I think we're making progress. We understand where the power of this country lay. It lies in the hearts and souls of Americans. It must lay in our pocketbooks. It lies in the willingness for people to work hard.”

People Thinking Heart Soul Country Hard Lying Progress Hard Work Lays Silly Willingness Heart And Soul Pocketbooks

Author:George W. Bush

“But I'm mindful in a free society that people can worship if they want to or not. You're equally an American if you choose to worship an Almighty and if you choose not to. If you're a Christian, Jew or Muslim you're equally an American. That's the great thing about America is the right to worship the way you see fit. Prayer and religion sustain me. I receive calmness in the storms of the presidency. I love the fact that people pray for me and my family all around the country. Somebody asked me one time, how do you know? I said I just feel it.”

“I am sustained by the prayers of the people in this country. I guess an appropriate way to say this, it's one of the beautiful things about America and Americans from all walks of life is that they're willing to pray for the President and his family. And that's powerful. It's hard for me to describe to you what that means. It's-let me just say this: It's a leap of faith to understand.”

“We have one country, one Constitution and one future that binds us.”

Country Religion Atheism Constitution

Author:George W. Bush

“Islam brings hope and comfort to millions of people in my country, and to more than a billion people worldwide. Ramadan is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefited mankind.”

People Country Inspiration Remember Millions Rich Mankind Birth Comfort Civilization Islam Billions Occasions Muslim World Christianity And Islam Ramadan

Author:George W. Bush

“Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans. Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others. Ours is a country based upon tolerance and we welcome people of all faiths in America.”

People Has Beens Country Inspiration Government America Majority Islam Tolerance Welcome Peaceful Sentiments Comment Respecting Others Islam Is Peace

Author:George W. Bush

“America rejects bigotry. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths - Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and many others. Every faith is practiced and protected here, because we are one country. Every immigrant can be fully and equally American because we're one country. Race and color should not divide us, because America is one country.”

“Eid is a time of joy, after a season of fasting and prayer and reflection. Each year, the end of Ramadan means celebration and thanksgiving for millions of Americans. And your joy during this season enriches the life of our great country. This year, Eid is celebrated at the same time as Hanukkah and Advent. So it's a good time for people of these great faiths, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, to remember how much we have in common: devotion to family, a commitment to care for those in need, a belief in God and His justice, and the hope for peace on earth.”

“How great the lie right to the top: We don't torture people in America and people who say we do simply know nothing about our country.”

People Knows Country America Lying Terrorism Our Country Torture

Author:George W. Bush

“Activist judges and local officials in some parts of the country are not letting up in their efforts to redefine marriage for the rest of America-and neither should defenders of traditional marriage flag in their efforts.”

Should Country America Effort Judging Gay Locals Traditional Officials Activist Flags Gay Marriage Defenders Traditional Marriage

Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush, 2004, Book 2, July 1 to September 30, 2004

Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush, 2004, Book 2, July 1 to September 30, 2004

“I've set a clear doctrine: America makes no distinction between the terrorists and the countries that harbor them. If you harbor a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists, and you're an enemy of the United States of America.”

Ifs Country States America United Enemy United States Clear Conservative Terrorist Doctrine Guilty Distinction United States Of America Harbors

Author:George W. Bush

“How can you possibly have an international agreement that's effective unless countries like China and India are not full participants?”

Country India International China Agreement Participants Bushism China And India

Author:George W. Bush

“Those who enter the country illegally violate the law.”

Country Law Bushism

Author:George W. Bush

“The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.”

Country Majority Imports Funny Bush

Author:George W. Bush

“I want to remind you right quick what this country has been through, and the challenges this economy had faced over the last three years. First, we went through a recession. That means we were going backwards.”

Want Years Firsts Mean Has Beens Country Lasts Three Challenges Economy Three Years Backwards Recessions

Author:George W. Bush

“The administration Ill bring is a group of men and women who are focused on whats best for America, honest men and women, decent men and women, women who will see service to our country as a great privilege and who will not stain the house.”

Men Country Humor America Political House Groups Honest Men And Women Ill Privilege Focused Our Country Administration Decent Men Women Honest Man Stains Bushism Decent Man

Author:George W. Bush

“Iraqis are sick of foreign people coming in their country and trying to destabilize their country.”

People Trying Country Sick

Author:George W. Bush

“The people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there's a lot of prayer - prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I'm one of them.”

People Knows Has Beens Country Prayer Down And Our Country Upside Down Louisiana Bushism

Author:George W. Bush

“We've got a lot of relations with countries in our neighborhood.”

Country Relation Neighborhood

Author:George W. Bush

“My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail.”

World Country Danger Citizens Overcoming Fellows Our Country Peril

Author:George W. Bush

“There needs to be debates, like we're going through. There needs to be townhall meetings. There needs to be travel. This is a huge country.”

Needs Country Humor Political Huge Meetings Debate

Author:George W. Bush

About the Author

Born: July 6, 1946
Known for: 43rd U.S. President
Quotes: 1655

Related Topics

People Political Humor America Political Humor Bushism World President Thinking Ifs Knows Nations Country States War Way Want Believe Funny Bush United

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Public paper of the presidents of the United StatesRelated source material

The George W. Bush Foreign Policy Reader: Presidential Speeches and CommentaryRelated source material

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush, 2004, Book 2, July 1 to September 30, 2004Related source material

Decision PointsRelated source material

U.S. Presidential Inaugural AddressesRelated source material

41: A Portrait of My FatherRelated source material

Inaugural Speeches from the Presidents of the United States - Complete EditionRelated source material

Similar Authors

Barack ObamaBrowse related quotes
John F. KerryBrowse related quotes
Mitt RomneyBrowse related quotes
Hillary ClintonBrowse related quotes
Condoleezza RiceBrowse related quotes
Dylan MoranBrowse related quotes
John McCainBrowse related quotes
Marco RubioBrowse related quotes
Mitch HedbergBrowse related quotes
William J. ClintonBrowse related quotes