Quotes from Gerald R. Ford

There are no adequate substitutes for father, mother, and children bound together in a loving commitment to nurture and protect. No government, no matter how well-intentioned, can take the place of the family in the scheme of things.

A coalition of groups ... is waging a massive propaganda campaign against the president of the United States. ... an all-out attack. Their aim is total victory for themselves and total defeat for him. (On Watergate crisis)

An American tragedy in which we all have played a part. (On Watergate, announcing pardon of former President Richard M Nixon)

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. (On Americans who avoided conscription during the Vietnam War, to Veterans of Foreign Wars)

I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots, so I ask you to confirm me with your prayers.

My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. (On succeeding Richard M Nixon as president)

The political lesson of Watergate is this Never again must America allow an arrogant, elite guard of political adolescents to by-pass the regular party organization and dictate the terms of a national election.

Things are more like they are now than they have ever been.

For millions of men and women, the church has been the hospital for the soul, the school for the mind and the safe depository for moral ideas.

Our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here, the people rule.

I can assure you the National Federation is an organization of Republican women whose power, prestige, perception, and purpose will never be underestimated by anyone.

I feel it is my first duty to make an unprecedented compact with my countrymen. Not an inaugural address, not a fireside chat, not a campaign speech - just a little straight talk among friends.

It's the quality of the ordinary, the straight, the square, that accounts for the great stability and success of our nation. It's a quality to be proud of. But it's a quality that many people seem to have neglected.

As President, I am determined to offer leadership to overcome our current economic problems. My goal is for jobs for all who want to work and economic opportunity for all who want to achieve.

My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.

A coalition of groups is waging a massive propaganda campaign against the president of the United States. an all-out attack. Their aim is total victory for themselves and total defeat for him.

Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.

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.

In the age-old contest between popularity and principle, only those willing to lose for their convictions are deserving of posterity's approval.

History and experience tell us that moral progress comes not in comfortable and complacent times, but out of trial and confusion.

Ronald Regan doesn't dye his hair - he's just prematurely orange.

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.

My commitment to the security and future of Israel is based upon basic morality as well as enlightened self-interest. Our role in supporting Israel honors our own heritage.

The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.