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 Leadership "We did not seek the role of leadership that has been thrust upon us. But whether we like it or not, the events of our time demand America's participation." - October 12, 1972 "A leader, once convinced a particular course of action is the right one, must have the determination to stick with it and be undaunted when the going gets rough." - December 5, 1990 "The challenge of statesmanship is to have the vision to dream of a better, safer world and the courage, persistence, and patience to turn that dream into reality." - March 8, 1985 "...there is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit." - January 21, 1981 "...I know it's hard when you're up to your armpits in alligators to remember you came here to drain the swamp." - February 10, 1982 Government & Politics "I've learned in Washington, that that's the only place where sound travels faster than light." - December 12, 1983 "I have never found anything that was as challenging or as fulfilling as being Governor of California. This has been the greatest experience of my life, maybe partly because I not only get to read the script, I help write it." - September 29, 1973 "Government must keep pace with the changing needs of our state and its people to be sure that government can fulfill its legitimate obligations." - August 6, 1973 "I've always believed that a lot of the trouble in the world would disappear if we were talking to each other instead of about each other." - April 11, 1984 "We in government should learn to look at our country with the eyes of the entrepreneur, seeing possibilities where others see only problems." - January 26, 1985 Dreams & Freedom "We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." - January 20, 1981 "It is up to us...to work together for progress and humanity so that our grandchildren, when they look back at us, can truly say that we not only preserved the flame of freedom, but cast its warmth and light further than those who came before us." - 1982 "...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." - January 20, 1981 "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" - June 12, 1987 American Pride "There is no question that we have failed to live up to the dreams of the founding fathers many times and in many places. Sometimes we do better than others. But all in all, the one thing we must be on guard against is thinking that because of this, the system has failed. The system has not failed. Some human beings have failed the system." - June 21, 1973 "The work of volunteer groups throughout our country represents the very heart and soul of America. They have helped make this the most compassionate, generous, and humane society that ever existed on the face of this earth." - Oct. 16, 1973 "We are the showcase of the future. And it is within our power to mold that future-this year and for decades to come. It can be as grand and as great as we make it. No crisis is beyond the capacity of our people to solve; no challenge too great." - January 5, 1974 "In America, our origins matter less than our destination, and that is what democracy is all about." - August 17, 1992 "This country was founded and built by people with great dreams and the courage to take great risks." - January 26, 1983 
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