Quotes from former President Jimmy Carter
Former President Jimmy Carter, March 25, 2014.
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“My name is Jimmy Carter and I am running for president.” – opening his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on July 15, 1976.
“I looked at a lot of women with lust. I have committed adultery in my heart many times.” — Interview published in the November 1976 issue of Playboy magazine.
Democrat Jimmy Carter is sworn in as the 39th President of the United States by Chief Justice Earl Burger as First Lady Rosalynn looks on, Washington DC, January 20, 1977.
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“Because we are free, we can never be indifferent to the fate of freedom elsewhere. Our moral sense dictates a clear preference for those societies that share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights. “It is clear that a world that others can rule with impunity is contrary to decency and a threat to the well-being of all people.” — Inaugural Address, January 20, 1977.
“Our energy decision will test the character of the American people and the ability of the President and Congress to govern. This difficult effort will be the 'moral equivalent of war' – except that we will combine our efforts to build, not destroy.” — Nationally televised address on the energy crisis, April 18, 1977.
President Carter addresses the nation on his energy proposals from the White House on April 18, 1977.
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“I have ensured that there is peace in our country, which has been very rare since World War II, and I have tried to work for peace between other people not directly linked to the United States, for example between Egypt and Israel. I helped normalize diplomatic relations.” China and I have implemented a very strong commitment to human rights that, for example, has brought about a shift from totalitarian military dictatorships to democracies throughout Latin America. So I would say that promoting peace and human rights were the two things that I'm most proud of.” – CNBC interview 2014.
“I want to be remembered as a champion of peace and human rights. These are the two things that I have found to be a kind of guide for my life. I did my best with it, which wasn't always successful. Of course, I would hope that the American people see that I tried to do what was best for our country every day of my time in office. – CNBC interview 2014.
“I could have been re-elected if I had taken military action against Iran. That would have shown that I was strong, determined and masculine. … I could have wiped Iran off the map with the weapons we had. But in this process many innocent people would have been killed, probably including the hostages. And so I defied all that advice, and eventually all my prayers were answered and all the hostages came home safe and free.” – Interview with CNBC 2014.
President Jimmy Carter poses for photographers in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on January 14, 1981, shortly before delivering his farewell address on national television.
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“Our American values are not luxuries but necessities – not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself. Our shared vision of a free and just society is our greatest source of cohesion at home and strength abroad – greater even than wealth of our material.” Blessing.” – Farewell speech, January 14, 1981.
“In order for us humans to personally acknowledge the inhumanity of war, we believe it is necessary to first dehumanize our opponents, which in itself is a violation of the beliefs of all religions. As soon as we characterize our opponents as outside the scope of God's mercy and grace, their lives lose all value when we plant land mines and days or years later a stranger – often a child – is maimed or killed Want to know the number or identity of the victims. – Lecture on the Nobel Peace Prize, December 10, 2002.
Jimmy Carter, the farmer, president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, dies at the age of 100
“It is imperative that the broader Arab community and all major Palestinian groups make clear that they will end suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism if international laws and the ultimate goals of the Roadmap to Peace are accepted by Israel.” – First Edition his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace, not Apartheid”.
“That was a terribly worded sentence that obviously ridiculously implied that I condoned terrorism and terrorist acts against Israeli citizens. … The 'when' was obviously a crazy and stupid word. My publishers were informed of this and have changed the sentence in all future editions of the book. – NPR interview, January 25, 2007, in reference to the previous quote.
President Jimmy Carter during a speech to the congregation of a church.
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“I have no doubt that if I had another term in office, I could have very decisively implemented the peace agreement that I negotiated with Israel and its neighbors, which was never fully implemented.” – Interview with CNBC 2014.
“This is a national tragedy and is not who we are as a nation. After watching elections in troubled democracies around the world, I know that we the people can, and we must, unite to come back from this brink and peacefully uphold our nation's laws.” “We pray together with our fellow citizens for a peaceful resolution so that our nation can heal and complete the transfer of power, as we have done for more than two centuries.” – Statement issued January 6, 2021, following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
“I'm going to teach Sunday school next week.” – Comment at his church to a reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 16, 2015, four days after he announced he had metastasized cancer.
“I had a wonderful life, I had thousands of friends and I had an exciting, adventurous and fulfilling life.” – Address to reporters at the Carter Center, August 20, 2015.
“I found that I was completely comfortable with death. I didn't really care whether I died or lived. … Since then, I have been absolutely convinced that my Christian faith includes complete trust in life after death.” – Speech at Maranatha Baptist Church, November 3, 2019.
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