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Quotes - Dubya the Philosopher
(Dubya engaging his "trying to sound deep" mode)
 
And so you know what the lesson is in life? Just do what you think is right. Make decisions based upon principle.
Dubya's advice: It doesn't matter if anyone else thinks what you're doing is wrong. Your viewpoint is the only thing that matters. Nashville, Tennessee, Jul. 19, 2007

The best way to defeat the totalitarian of hate is with an ideology of hope an ideology of hate excuse me with an ideology of hope.
The correction doesn't fully clarify the original misstatement, but at least he noticed it, I guess... Fort Benning, Georgia, Jan. 11, 2007

If you're a son or a daughter, and your mom or dad is eligible for Medicare and he or she hasn't signed up, I believe the son or a daughter has a duty to help the mom or dad understand what's available. That's what sons and daughters are supposed to do. That's called love. And a loving son or daughter should take a look and help their folks realize what's possible, help design a drug benefit program that meets your mom or dad's needs.
Dubya comes out with a heart-warming definition of love (and carves another piece out of the government's responsibility portfolio) just in time for Mother's Day, Sun City Center, Florida, May 9, 2006

There is something healthy about people campaigning, saying, this is what I'm for. [Palestinian] President [Abbas] ran on a peace platform. You know, maybe somebody will run on a war platform you know, vote for me, I promise violence. I don't think they're going to get elected, because I think Palestinian moms want their children to grow up in peace just like American moms want their children to grow up in peace. As a matter of fact, I think the people that campaign for peace will win.
Himself excluded, of course... And for you folks keeping score at home, Hamas subsequently took control of the Palestinian government in a landslide victory. White House, May 26, 2005

You know, you can't discriminate. Freedom is not a discriminatory thought, at least in the White House in other words, if you say, certain people should be free, but others shouldn't free. It's a universal thought, as far as I'm concerned.
Explaining freedom... Mainz, Germany, Feb. 23, 2005

Self-government relies, in the end, on the governing of the self. That edifice of character is built in families, supported by communities with standards, and sustained in our national life by the truths of Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount, the words of the Koran, and the varied faiths of our people.
Notice the subtle wording choice, guaranteed not to be incidental considering the reported 21 revisions the text of the speech went through, second inaugural address, Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2005

I believe we are called to do the hard work to make our communities and quality of life a better place.
Or something like that, Collinsville, Illinois, Jan. 5, 2005

The idea of a democracy taking hold in what was a place of tyranny and hatred and destruction is is such a hopeful moment in the history of the world.
The idea is a hopeful moment? Washington, D.C., Dec. 21, 2004

The Oval Office is an interesting place to meet, particularly, people who are beginning to struggle with democracy and freedom because it's a reminder that the institutions, at least in this country, are always bigger than the people. Sometime we've got an all-right President, sometimes not all right. But the presidency, itself, exists.
Dubya's observation on democracy, Roswell, New Mexico, Nov. 22, 2004

I believe we ought to love our neighbor like we love ourself, as manifested in public policy through the faith-based initiative where we've unleashed the armies of compassion to help heal people who hurt.
Dubya comes out boldly for narcissism, and the stormtroopers of compassion, Third Presidential Debate, Tempe, Arizona, Oct. 13, 2004

We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace.
Dubya seems not to mind inviting the comparison, address to U.N. General Assembly, Sep. 21, 2004

These are historic times. This is a historic moment in history, as far as I'm concerned.
Wax on, Dubya, wax on... Washington, D.C., Sep. 17, 2004

Government can hand out money, but government cannot put hope in a person's heart, or a sense of purpose in a person's life. Government happens when a loving neighbor puts their arm around somebody who hurts and says, "I love you" and "Can I help you?".
On the origins of government...?! Sioux City, Iowa, Aug. 14, 2004

I think a healthy society is one in which people own something.
Dubya expounds his theory of ownership solving society's ills. It's quite a theory. Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aug. 11, 2004

And I am an optimistic person. I guess if you want to try to find something to be pessimistic about, you can find it, no matter how hard you look, you know?
I'm feeling a little bit confused by this one, Washington, D.C., Jun. 15, 2004

Freedom frightens people who are terrorists.
When saying "Freedom frightens terrorists" just isn't enough, try this one on for size, Hershey, Pennsylvania, Apr. 19, 2004

By mentoring a child, you shape the character of a child. And it's a high calling in life, because that influence reaches to eternity.
Deep. Dallas, Texas, Oct. 29, 2003

By making the right choices, we can make the right choice for our future.
Flawless logic, Dallas, Texas, Jul. 18, 2003

People can read everything they want into it when they hear "faith-based initiative." That all of a sudden opens everybody's imagination in the world to vast possibilities, some which exist and some which don't.
On faith-based initiatives, Washington, D.C., Jul. 16, 2003

I had the opportunity to go out to Goree Island and talk about what slavery meant to America. It's very interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America. America is what it is today because of what went on in the past.
I know he's trying to be profound or something here, but he's considerably more "something" than profound (slavery is "interesting" and people have "steadfast"), Dakar, Senegal, Jul. 8, 2003

I think war is a dangerous place.
Washington, D.C., May 7, 2003

We can help somebody who hurts by hugging a neighbor in need.
Is this help by association or the power of hugging or something? I'm confused. Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Apr. 4, 2003

Sometimes, Washington is one of these towns where the person people who think they've got the sharp elbow is the most effective person.
New Orleans, Louisiana, Dec. 4, 2002

The solid truth of the matter is, when you find if you want to help heal the hurt if you want to hurt people and help people in pain, the best way to do so is to call upon the great strength of the country, which is the compassion of our fellow Americans.
I'm hoping that the advocation for hurting people here is accidental, Bentonville, Arkansas, Nov. 4, 2002

All of us here in America should believe, and I think we do, that we should be, as I mentioned, a nation of owners. Owning something is freedom, as far as I'm concerned. It's part of a free society... It's a part of it's of being a it's a part of an important part of America.
Washington, D.C., Oct. 15, 2002

There's an old saying in Tennessee I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee that says, fool me once shame on shame on you. You fool me, you can't get fooled again.
Dubya attempting to co-opt Texas and Tennessee into his verbal wreckage. The saying he was trying to dredge up was "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Even better, Dubya was speaking at a literature magnet school. I'm sure it was a learning experience for the kids. East Literature Magnet School, Nashville, Tennessee, Sep. 17, 2002

Every life matters, whether it be an American life or the life of an Afghan girl.
Little Rock, Arkansas, Aug. 29, 2002

I think work is incredibly important. Work leads to dignity.
So apparently, if you don't have a job, you're out of luck in the dignity department, Stockton, California, Aug. 23, 2002

A strong America is America based upon strong families.
Green Tree, Pennsylvania, Aug. 5, 2002

People in America understand that we're into a different era, we're heading to a different culture. ...It means that you of course make a living for your family. But it also means that when you find a neighbor in need, you love that person.
I know I'm reading too much into the wording, but still... weird, West Ashley High School, Charleston, South Carolina, Jul. 29, 2002

In order to defeat evil, you can do so by loving your neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself.
Dubya mixing and matching two of his favorite concepts (unconvincingly), Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, Jun. 24, 2002

A country which has been under attack can respond by loving your neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself.
Atlanta, Georgia, Jun. 17, 2002

Walking across the street to a shut-in, saying, "I love you, what can I do to help you?" is part of loving your neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself.
A neighbor coming out of the blue and telling a shut-in "I love you" seems more likely to be a sure fire way to scare the living daylights out of them, Des Moines, Iowa, Jun. 7, 2002

If America goes to sleep, the rest of the world is in trouble. If we blink, the rest of the world will close their eyes. So we're not blinking, and we're not going to sleep.
To summarize, Blinking: bad, Sleeping: bad, Los Angeles, California, Apr. 29, 2002

And we can show the world the true face of America, as well. Oh, it's a diverse face, no question about it, which is our strength, not our weakness. But it's a face that can be bound by common goals and common values. It's a face that can stand squarely in the face of evil by the collective acts of people doing good in America.
More extemporaneous wreckage at the First African Methodist Episcopal Renaissance Center, Los Angeles, California, Apr. 29, 2002

The other thing the volunteers do is they welcome people here, for this is the people's land. This isn't one person's land, it's the people's land, and foreign visitors about the mountain so they can enjoy their time and leave only footprints behind.
Whiteface Mountain Lodge, Wilmington, New York, Apr. 22, 2002

I see a peaceful world, I do. The rest of the world watches us very carefully. I like to say, "If the United States blinks, they'll go to sleep." We're not going to blink.
I have no idea what the blinking and sleeping means, but it is Dubya after all, Dallas, Texas, Mar. 29, 2002

It is awfully hard to realize there can be peace in a place like the Middle East.
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, Mar. 27, 2002

There's nothing more deep than recognizing Israel's right to exist. That's the most deep thought of all.... I can't think of anything more deep than that right.
Deep. Washington, D.C., Mar. 13, 2002

But as a result of evil, there's some amazing things that are taking place in America.
Meaning to say that evil has challenged people to rethink things, Daytona Beach, Florida, Jan. 30, 2002

It must be hard to describe how to cause people to love one another.
Praise tainted with confusion, statements to Martha's Table Volunteers and Board of Directors, Washington, D.C., Dec. 20, 2001

A job is the best thing that you can do to help anybody.
Classic Dubya generalization, statements to Martha's Table Volunteers and Board of Directors, Washington, D.C., Dec. 20, 2001

You know, I don't think there's ever going to be an end to evil.
Stating the obvious with conviction, Barbara Walters interview, Dec. 4, 2001

We have a renewed appreciation of the character of America. We are a generous people, a thoughtful people who hurt.
Trying to say that Americans feel their share of pain, but making it sound like Americans deal out doses of pain on others, Thomas Wootten High School, Rockville, Maryland, Oct. 30, 2001

I've seen fox in here, I've seen all kinds of birds. It's a wonderful spot to come up in here and just kind of think about the budget.
In touch with nature at his "Prarie Chapel" Ranch, Crawford, Texas, Aug. 25, 2001

I thank all the there are more people than I can think that impress me. One of the things that impressed me, besides people's friendliness, is the number of people that said, "I pray for you and your family." For those of you that do that, thanks. It really is something unique about America you don't have to show me the party registration card.
Comments made to workers at Harley Davidson Factory, Menomonoee Falls, Wisconsin, Aug. 21, 2001

First, let me say how honored I was to be able to be in the presence of the Holy Father... He's an extraordinary man who is, by virtue of his leadership and his conscience and his presence has not only affected political systems, but affected the hearts and souls of thousands of people all around the world.
Press conference with Prime Minister Berlusconi, Rome, Italy, Jul. 23, 2001

I can't tell you what it's like to be in Europe, for example, to be talking about the greatness of America. But the true greatness of America are the people.
Yeah... Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D.C., Jul. 2, 2001

Our nation must come together to unite.
Tampa, Florida, Jun. 4, 2001

We're standing amongst the largest trees on Earth, and some of the very oldest. When the Mayflower arrived on the eastern shore of, this continent, the great sequoias were already here. When the seal was fixed on the Magna Carter, the great sequoias were already here. They were here when the Roman Empire fell, and they were here when the Roman Empire rose. And had Christ himself, on, uhh stood on this spot, he would have been in the shade of this very tree.
Not only does he reference the "Magna Carter", he tosses a Jesus reference into the mix despite already having mentioned the empire that was contemporaneous to Jesus. Sequoia National Park, California, May 30, 2001

That's what politics is all about, as far as I'm concerned - it's the people's will.
Air Force One, Mar. 9, 2001

People want civility. We're going to give them civility.
Civility on demand... Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mar. 9, 2001

I have said that the sanction regime [against Iraq] is like Swiss cheese. That meant that they weren't very effective.
Presidential press conference, White House, Feb. 22, 2001

My pro-life position is I believe there's life. It's not necessarily based in religion. I think there's a life there, therefore the notion of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 23, 2001

I'm hopeful. I know there is a lot of ambition in Washington, obviously. But I hope the ambitious realize that they are more likely to succeed with success as opposed to failure.
Interview with the Associated Press, Jan. 18, 2001

The great thing about America is everybody should vote.
Austin, Texas, Dec. 8, 2000

If you don't stand for anything, you don't stand for anything.
Bellevue, Washington, Nov. 2, 2000

They said, you know, this issue doesn't seem to resignate with the people. And I said, you know something? Whether it resignates or not doesn't matter to me, because I stand for doing what's the right thing, and what the right thing is hearing the voices of people who work.
Portland, Oregon, Oct. 31, 2000

That's a chapter, the last chapter of the 20th, 20th, the 21st century that most of us would rather forget. The last chapter of the 20th century. This is the first chapter of the 21st century.
On the Lewinsky scandal, Arlington Heights, Illinois, Oct. 24, 2000

Our priorities is our faith.
Greensboro, North Carolina, Oct. 10, 2000

I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.
He knows... Saginaw, Michigan, Sep. 29, 2000

One of the common denominators I have found is that expectations rise above that which is expected.
Los Angeles, California, Sep. 27, 2000

We'll let our friends be the peacekeepers and the great country called America will be the pacemakers.
Houston, Texas, Sep. 6, 2000

I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together.
Bartlett, Tennessee, Aug. 18, 2000

I think we agree, the past is over.
On his meeting with former opponent John McCain and the resolution of their differences, which ended with McCain's endorsement of Dubya. Aboard his campaign plane, May 10, 2000

I think anybody who doesn't think I'm smart enough to handle the job is underestimating.
U.S. News & World Report, Apr. 3, 2000

It is not Reaganesque to support a tax plan that is Clinton in nature.
Los Angeles, California, Feb. 23, 2000

I don't have to accept their tenants. I was trying to convince those college students to accept my tenants. And I reject any labeling me because I happened to go to the university.
Today, NBC, Feb. 23, 2000

The most important job is not to be governor, or first lady in my case.
As quoted by the San Antonio Express-News, Pella, Iowa, Jan. 30, 2000

Will the highways to the Internet become more few?
Commenting on the potential effects of the Time Warner/AOL merger as only he can, Concord, New Hampshire, Jan. 29, 2000

When I was coming up, it was a dangerous world, and you knew exactly who they were," he said. "It was us vs. them, and it was clear who them was. Today, we are not so sure who the they are, but we know they're there.
Iowa Western Community College, Jan. 21, 2000

This is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mential losses.
Puzzling fellow Republicans at a South Carolina oyster roast, Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 14, 2000

Sitting down and reading a 500-page book on public policy or philosophy or something.
Answer to interviewer when asked to name something he's not good at, Talk Magazine, Sep. 1, 1999

We live in a culture of moral indifference, where movies and videos glamorize violence and tolerance is touted as a great virtue.
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, Apr. 6, 1998

Making sure every child can read, making sure that we encourage faith-based organizations ... when it comes to helping neighbors in need, making sure that our neighborhoods are safe, making sure that the state of Texas recognizes that people from all walks of life have got a shot at the Texas dream but, most importantly, making sure that government is not the answer to people's problems.
Definition offered - inherent contradiction and all - when asked to define "compassionate conservatism", date unknown


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