The Most Iconic And Inspiring Quotes From History
World leaders say the darndest things. Sometimes, their speeches can leave us afraid, excited, invigorated, filled with national pride, or abject horror. Let's break down some of the most iconic quotes from world leaders that inspired us, shocked us, or might have even been catalysts for historical changes in the world.
Nelson Mandela
South Africa's former President and all-around good human, Nelson Mandela, spent 18 years in prison for protesting against the South African apartheid regime. Despite being subject to incredible injustice and inhumane treatment at Robben Island, Mandela chose to remain peaceful and kind upon his release from prison in 1982.
He once said: "If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important—and you do that by being genuine and humble". Amen to that, Madiba.
John Mathew Smith 2001 , Wikimedia Commons
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill may have had some odious opinions on race, but his leadership steered Britain through the Second World War. While many quotes from Churchill stir patriotism and national pride, this one on courage rings true.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts".
Bettmann Archive, Wikimedia Commons
Barack Obama
Barack Obama's eight years in the White House aren't always remembered fondly, but his leadership style and eloquence are sorely missed today. This quote about having larger ambitions than self-enrichment or self-preservation is a perfect example.
"Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little life of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential".
United States Senate, Wikimedia Commons
Dwight D Eisenhower
Dwight Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II and would become the President of the United States from 1953 to 1961. His leadership, combined with Churchill's during WWII, made the Allies a fearsome foe for the Nazis. This quote shows that one of the most important aspects of leadership, a sense of humor, rings true for almost anything we do in life.
"A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done".
President John F Kennedy
Although JFK's time in the White House was brutally short, his leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War likely contributed to the relative peace between the United States and the Soviet Union. This quote on learning as much as you can is one of the great qualities of a good leader.
"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other". Indeed, a good leader will listen twice as much as he talks.
Flickr, U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Benjamin Franklin
One of America's greatest political philosophers certainly lived a full life. In the next quote, he opines how to live fully. What will you do that's worth being remembered for?
"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth the writing".
Martin Luther King Jr
While not a "world leader," Martin Luther King Jr was a leader during the American Civil Rights movement and one of the most inspirational people to ever walk the Earth. This quote about choosing your friends wisely must surely have come from betrayal.
"We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends".
John F Kennedy
Another poignant quote from JFK came at the height of the Cold War. While a less eloquent leader may have blustered and bloviated against a foe like the Soviets, Kennedy remained calm and steadfast in his goal of peace.
"We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or make it the last".
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Ronald Reagan
When speaking at the Brandenburg Gate on January 12, 1987, President Reagan made a plea to the Soviet Premier that reverberated around the world and would become one of his most famous quotes—and one of the most famous in history.
"Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" The Berlin Wall fell two years later, but the Kremlin had been called out.
Michael Evans, Wikimedia Commons
Otto Von Bismarck
Otto Von Bismarck created modern Germany by unifying the country in the 19th century and creating the German Empire. While not the Emperor of Germany (as that was Wilhelm I), he did create the world's first welfare state, known as State Socialism, in the German Empire. But his quote on war in Europe sticks with us—it came in 1888.
"One day, the Great European War will come out of some foolish thing in the Balkans". Lo and behold, war erupted following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary by Serbian nationalists in 1914.
Bundesarchiv Bild, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, Wikimedia Commons
John F Kennedy
I'm sorry, but most of Kennedy's speeches during his tenure were just a goldmine of "quotable quotes". One example is this one, from 1962 at Rice University in Texas, on the prospect of putting a man on the Moon.
"We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard".
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria is one of Britain's most renowned monarchs, overseeing a robust empire and making many advancements at home. Still, it was during her nation's time of need—when they were losing the Crimean War—that Queen Victoria came up with an inspirational quote on never giving up.
"We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist". While she was right, and Britain and her allies won the Crimean War, the conflict's immense unpopularity at home meant members of the Government had to resign.
Alexander Bassano, Wikimedia Commons
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most iconic leaders of 19th-century Europe. He conquered territory and land and established a renewed French empire. However, if Ridley Scott's epic is to be believed, his hubris let him down in his leadership of France. This quote on military tactics is one of his most infamous.
"Never interrupt your enemy when they are making a mistake". The Russians certainly didn't interrupt Napoleon when he invaded their country in the middle of winter—a big mistake.
Jacques-Louis David, Wikimedia Commons
Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, led the country from 2005 to 2021. During her 16 years of public service, she championed public infrastructure spending to counteract the global recessions of 2007-2008. She also took a backseat to armed conflicts like the Global War on Terror. Despite her pacifistic stance, her quote on freedom will become timeless.
"Freedom does not mean being free of something, but to be free to do something".
Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi's pacifism in the face of British colonial rule was one of the defining anti-colonial movements throughout the Empire during the early 20th century. Through his leadership, India became an independent country from Great Britain, ending nearly 200 years of colonial rule. Naturally, such a leader has many quotable quotes, but this one summed up the man perfectly.
"First, they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win".
Justin Trudeau
Canada's recently resigned Prime Minister gave us many quotable moments during his nearly 10-year tenure as PM, including his tearful remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II: "She was one of my favorite people in the world. And I will miss her so". But our pick for this list is part of his address to the 71st UN General Assembly.
"Every single day, we need to choose hope over fear, diversity over division. Fear has never created a single job or fed a single family. And those who exploit it will never solve the problems that have created such anxiety".
Mahatma Gandhi
Another from the "Father of a Nation," as he's known. Gandhi's lifelong commitment to peaceful resistance to British rule in India defined his legacy. It's perhaps summed up in this quote on vengeance. However, the quote is a reference to a Biblical passage from Leviticus.
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind".
Elliott & Fry, Wikimedia Commons
John Quincy Adams
The sixth American President, John Quincy Adams, was responsible for ending hostilities between the United States and France, as he and his administration signed The Convention of Mortefontaine. This convention ended what was known as "The Quasi-War," which lasted from 1798 until 1800. But Adams' most renowned act came when writing to James Sullivan in 1776 about the importance of integrity.
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost".
Mathew Brady, Wikimedia Commons
Martin Luther King Jr
We return to Martin Luther King Jr, this time to his 1963 book Strength to Love, a collection of his speeches from throughout the years.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy".
What is your favorite quote from a world leader? Let us know in the comments below!
