Hillary Clinton Quotes

A nuclear-weapons armed Iran is not in anyone’s human-rights interests. That is a direct threat to the lives and the livelihoods and the stability not only of the region but beyond.

A psychologist once told me that for a boy being in the middle of a conflict between two women is the worst possible situation. There’s always a desire to please each one.

All of us have to recognize that we owe our children more than we have been giving them.

As I speak to you today, government censors somewhere are working furiously to erase my words from the records of history. But history itself has already condemned these tactics.

At the end of the day, you know, love does not happen between two perfect people as much as we would wish.

Being gay is not a Western invention. It is a human reality.

Both the American people and nations that censor the internet should understand that our government is committed to helping promote internet freedom.

Children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States.

China is starting an English-speaking television network around the world, Russia is, Al Jazeera. And the BBC is cutting back on its many language services around the world.

Countries that will not tax their elite who expect us to come in and help them serve their people are just not going to get the kind of help from us that historically they may have.

Democracies have to be careful that they do not become so process-driven.

Democracy is still a radical idea in a world where we often confuse images with realities, words with actions.

Dignity does not come from avenging insults, especially from violence that can never be justified. It comes from taking responsibility and advancing our common humanity.

Dynamism is a function of change.

Egypt has been a partner of the United States over the last 30 years, has been instrumental in keeping the peace in the Middle East between Egypt and Israel, which is a critical accomplishment that has meant so much to so many people.

Egypt is a large, complex, very important country.

Europe is a miracle.

Every marriage is a mystery to me, even the one I’m in. So I’m no expert on it.

Every nation has to either be with us, or against us. Those who harbor terrorists, or who finance them, are going to pay a price.

Every president, if you watch what they look like when they come into office, you can see their hair turn white because it’s such a hard job.

Everybody has some dysfunction in their families.

For centuries, New York has served as the gateway for millions of people from all over the world in search of the American dream. It only makes sense that it would now serve as a gateway for the world’s greatest athletes.

Freedom means the right of people to assemble, organize, and debate openly.

Gay rights are human rights.

Going out and playing football or baseball with the boys, when I was a tomboy, was a great way to learn about winning and losing, and most girls didn’t have that experience.

Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.

I also believe that we have an extraordinary opportunity for the United States and European Union to lead the world in developing and implementing new and more efficient technologies – smart electrical grids and electrical vehicles.

I always run inclusive and successful organisations.

I always supported the women I worked with having time off to go to parent-teacher conferences and doctors’ appointments or bringing their infants into the office.

I am neither frustrated nor planning anything other than being the best Secretary of State I could be.

I am shocked at how much time I spend in the White House. I mean, you know, for people on the outside, the idea of going to the White House for a meeting must seem like the most important, serious, even glamorous kind of thing to do.

I am someone who hopes for the best and prepares for the worst.

I am, you know, adamantly against illegal immigration.

I believe in a zone of privacy.

I believe in delegating power.

I believe that the rights of women and girls is the unfinished business of the 21st century.

I can’t stand the kind of paralysis that some people fall into because they’re not happy with the choices they’ve made.

I can’t stand whining.

I certainly don’t read coverage of me, I read what else is going on that I need to know about to do my job.

I don’t ask anyone else to live my life. I have enough trouble doing that.

I don’t have any comment on who the people of Russia choose to be their leaders.

I don’t think feminism, as I understand the definition, implies the rejection of maternal values, nurturing children, caring about the men in your life. That is just nonsense to me.

I don’t think I’ve read any of the books that have been written about me.

I don’t think that strategically it is smart to begin cutting your options when the other side does not move at all.

I don’t think the Egyptian people want to see what is a very clear effort to obtain political and economic rights turn into any kind of new form of oppression or suppression or violence or letting loose criminal elements.

I don’t think we should be about the business of denying voters in Michigan and Florida the right to be heard.

I drink tons of water. Just as much water as I can possibly drink.

I feel like every day, every minute I have to make the most of.

I feel like I have had the most amazing life in my public service.

I feel very lucky because of my parents and then my education, the opportunities that I’ve had, so I would like to continue working to improve lives for others.

I fought all my life for women to make their own choices, in their personal and professional lives. I made mine.

I have a lot of stamina and I have a lot of resilience.

I have absolutely no interest in running for president again. None. None. I mean, I know that’s hard for some people to believe, but, you know, I just don’t.

I have not supported same-sex marriage. I have supported civil partnerships and contractual relationships.

I have to defend my husband.

I have won elections and I have lost elections.

I just think that giving a child a chance and sharing what you have with a child is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, as well as a child.

I learned some valuable lessons about the legislative process, the importance of bipartisan cooperation and the wisdom of taking small steps to get a big job done.

I like live audiences, with real people – virtual reality is no substitute.

I love New York.

I mean, honestly, we have to be clear that the life for many Afghan women is not that much different than it was a hundred years ago, 200 years ago. The country has lived with so much violence and conflict that many people, men and women, just want it to be over.

I mean, I’m a big believer in talking to people when you can and trying to solve problems when you can.

I meet with people all day long.

I never thought I would end up being the Senator from New York.

I never thought that the long haired, bearded guy I married in law school would end up being President.

I sometimes think that I didn’t leave the Republican Party, as much as it left me.

I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas.

I take vitamins.

I think I will serve as secretary of state as my last public position.

I think I’m chronically exhausted.

I think I’m very hardheaded.

I think it’s fair to say that diplomacy today requires much more of that if you’re the United States of America than it did 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago.

I think that if you live long enough, you realize that so much of what happens in life is out of your control, but how you respond to it is in your control. That’s what I try to remember.

I think that we have to be constantly asking ourselves, ‘How do we calculate the risk?’ And sometimes we don’t calculate it correctly; we either overstate it or understate it.

I think that you can disagree with people and debate over their positions with issues without engaging in the politics of personal destruction.

I think the world would be a lot better off if more people were to define themselves in terms of their own standards and values and not what other people said or thought about them.

I think we have to face the reality that in a society where there is a legitimate threat of terrorism, not being able to see one’s face, not being able to have some sense of communication in that way, is for many societies a challenge.

I try to read for pleasure whenever I can – it’s a great way just to shut it off for a while so your brain doesn’t get fried.

I used to sit on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue and wonder why the Senate was always going into recess, until in my first year I realized how intense the pressure was.

I want to make a difference.

I want to teach. I want to speak. I want to travel.

I was in civil society long before I was ever in politics or my husband was ever even elected president.

I will not comment on or confirm what are alleged to be stolen State Department cables. But I can say that the United States deeply regrets the disclosure of any information that was intended to be confidential, including private discussions between counterparts or our diplomats’ personal assessments and observations.

I wish I were taller and thinner but the hair you can do something about.

I won the youth vote in Massachusetts and in California. I did very well with it in Ohio.

I, for one, respect those who believe with all their hearts and conscience that there are no circumstances under which any abortion should ever be available.

I’ll get involved in philanthropy.

I’m in charge of the State Department’s 60,000-plus people all over the world, 275 posts.

I’m not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president.

I’m one of these very focused people when it comes to day-to-day work, and I’m trying not to think about what comes next so that I can stay very focused on what I’m doing now.

I’m one of those people who thinks that changing one’s hair is the only part of the body that you can change at will.

I’m too old to be a yuppie.

I’m undaunted in my quest to amuse myself by constantly changing my hair.

I’ve always been intrigued by the Senate, and admired many of the people who have served there.

I’ve been really at the highest levels of American political life.

I’ve had extraordinary good luck with my health, other than a broken elbow.

I’ve never understood multi-party democracy. It’s hard enough with two parties.

I’ve never understood the division between so-called realists and so-called idealists.

If a country doesn’t recognize minority rights and human rights, including women’s rights, you will not have the kind of stability and prosperity that is possible.

If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle.

In almost every profession – whether it’s law or journalism, finance or medicine or academia or running a small business – people rely on confidential communications to do their jobs. We count on the space of trust that confidentiality provides. When someone breaches that trust, we are all worse off for it.

In every country today, there is politics. It may be authoritarian politics, but there is politics.

In my family, we were Americans, we were Republicans and we were Methodists.

In nearly every religion I am aware of, there is a variation of the golden rule. And even for the non-religious, it is a tenet of people who believe in humanistic principles.

In the aftermath of September 11, and as the 9/11 Commission report so aptly demonstrates, it is clear that our intelligence system is not working the way that it should.

In the Bible it says they asked Jesus how many times you should forgive, and he said 70 times 7. Well, I want you all to know that I’m keeping a chart.

In too many instances, the march to globalization has also meant the marginalization of women and girls. And that must change.

India has reduced its dependence on Iranian oil. I know their refineries have stopped asking for orders to purchase Iranian oil.

Individual consciences are fine but individual consciences have to be made manifest.

It is a fact that around the world the elites of every country are making money.

It is often when night looks darkest, it is often before the fever breaks that one senses the gathering momentum for change, when one feels that resurrection of hope in the midst of despair and apathy.

It is past time for women to take their rightful place, side by side with men, in the rooms where the fates of peoples, where their children’s and grandchildren’s fates, are decided.

It is very clear that the people in Afghanistan do not want the Taliban back.

It should never be a crime to be gay.

It’s true that America can’t solve every problem, but I don’t know of any major problem in the world that can be solved without us.

Let’s continue to stand up for those who are vulnerable to being left out or marginalized.

Let’s not leave an educational vacuum to be filled by religious extremists who go to families who have no other option and offer meals, housing and some form of education. If we are going to combat extremism then we must educate those very same children.

Look, I’m outspoken.

Many of you are well enough off that the tax cuts may have helped you. We’re saying that for America to get back on track, we’re probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.

My father was raised with brothers, he was a football player and a boxer, he was a chief petty officer in the Navy, he was a man of his times.

My feeling is if you’re going to be a leader, you have to carefully assess where people are and where people want to go.

My two secrets to staying healthy: wash your hands all the time. And, if you can’t, use Purell or one of the sanitizers. And the other is hot peppers. I eat a lot of hot peppers. I for some reason started doing that in 1992, and I swear by it.

My wish for the new millennium is for all children… to grow up wiser, and stronger and more prosperous for the future than ever before.

No matter what you think about the Iraq war, there is one thing we can all agree on for the next days – we have to salute the courage and bravery of those who are risking their lives to vote and those brave Iraqi and American soldiers fighting to protect their right to vote.

No nation can meet the world’s challenges alone.

Now I know that Wal-Mart’s policies do not reflect the best way of doing business and the values that I think are important in America.

Now, I know there are many Americans who say, ‘Get out of Afghanistan. Bring ’em all home.’ And there are others who say, ‘Put in hundreds of thousands of more.’

Of course, parents are the most important people in a child’s life.

Often times when you face such an overwhelming challenge as global climate change, it can be somewhat daunting – it’s kind of like trying to lose weight, which I know something about.

Oh, I’ve never been asked a silly question in my entire life.

On some campuses, change is effected through nonviolent or even violent means.

One day after laying a wreath at the tomb of Martin Luther King Jr., President Bush appoints a federal judge who has built his career around dismantling Dr. King’s legacy.

One of my goals upon becoming Secretary of State was to take diplomacy out of capitals, out of government offices, into the media, into the streets of countries.

One of the things I have been preaching around the world is collecting taxes in an equitable manner, especially from the elites.

Part of diplomacy is to open different definitions of self-interest.

People have to stop employing illegal immigrants.

Probably my worst quality is that I get very passionate about what I think is right.

Several people have told me that one of the most meaningful events they could attend would be something at the White House with their children.

‘Smart power’ is the use of American power in ways that would help prevent and resolve conflict – not just send our military in.

Showing up is not all of life – but it counts for a lot.

Sometimes overturning brutal regimes takes time and costs lives. I wish it weren’t so. I really, really do.

Sometimes, in public life, people ask inappropriate, off-the-wall kinds of questions, don’t they?

The American people are tired of liars and people who pretend to be something they’re not.

The American taxpayer should not be treated more shabbily than debtors from other nations and we should be encouraging other nations to help rebuild Iraq’s economy.

The candidates we have in this campaign are… the most accomplished, in terms of public service, that we’ve had since 1960. One of them will be successful.

The challenge is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible.

The challenges of change are always hard. It is important that we begin to unpack those challenges that confront this nation and realize that we each have a role that requires us to change and become more responsible for shaping our own future.

The First Lady role is really difficult. It has no job description… You have to create it for yourself.

The first lesson I’ve learned is that no matter what you do in your life, you have to figure out your own internal rhythms – I mean, what works for you doesn’t necessarily work for your friend.

The importance of building relationships among colleagues, of trying to create coalitions behind the issues that you are championing, was not something I ever had much insight into until I was elected and started serving in the Senate.

The need for peace in Northern Ireland goes well beyond political stability. It now speaks to regional Europe and even global stability.

The nuclear arsenal that Pakistan has, I believe is secure. I think the government and the military have taken adequate steps to protect that.

The people of New York took a big chance on me. And I’m well aware of that.

The Russians and the Chinese have been absolutely clear they don’t want to see Iran with a nuclear weapon.

The safe haven that al-Qaida has found in Pakistan is very troubling.

The truth is that sometimes it is hard even for me to recognize the Hillary Clinton that other people see.

The United States strongly condemns the illegal disclosure of classified information. It puts people’s lives in danger, threatens our national security, and undermines our efforts to work with other countries to solve shared problems.

The worst thing that can happen in a democracy – as well as in an individual’s life – is to become cynical about the future and lose hope.

There are 4 billion cell phones in use today. Many of them are in the hands of market vendors, rickshaw drivers, and others who’ve historically lacked access to education and opportunity. Information networks have become a great leveler, and we should use them together to help lift people out of poverty and give them a freedom from want.

There are rich people everywhere, and yet they don’t contribute to the growth of their countries.

There hasn’t been anybody whose life has been picked apart and distorted as much as mine.

There is a great deal of political pressure to only talk about abstinence, and to deny support for condoms and education on using them. This policy will lead to the unnecessary deaths of many people.

There is a hunger for the United States to be present again.

There is a sense that things, if you keep positive and optimistic about what can be done, do work out.

There is no doubt that America remains the premier political, economic, military power in the world, and I both expect and count on it remaining so, because I think that’s certainly in our best interest but also the best interests of the world.

There is no formula that I’m aware of for being a successful or fulfilled woman today.

There’s a certain consistency to who I am and what I do, and I think people have finally said, ‘Well, you know, I kinda get her now.’ I’ve actually had people say that to me.

There’s no day that is the same as the day before. So you have to be energized; you have to be focused.

This is a moment in history where it is almost hard to catch your breath.

Today we voted as Democrats and Republicans. Tomorrow we begin again as New Yorkers.

Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process.

We can’t go to people who have lost their job at GM and say, ‘Oh, by the way, we are going to pay money to build a road here or inoculate children there,’ unless we can demonstrate that it is in America’s interest. I happen to think it is.

We don’t have enough support for maternal leave and the kinds of things that some of the European countries do. So we still make it hard on women to go into the work force and feel that they can be good at work but then doing the most important job, which is raising your children in a responsible and positive way.

We have a close, unshakable bond between the United States and Israel, and between the American and Israeli people. We share common values and a commitment to a democratic future for the world, and we are both committed to a two-state solution. But that doesn’t mean that we’re going to agree.

We know in New York we have several million at any one time who are in New York illegally.

We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society.

We would very much like to see Iran take a position as a responsible leader that doesn’t intimidate or threaten or scare its neighbors and others. But the choice is really up to Iran and we’re going to keep working to try to come out with the right decision.

We’ll hold out our hand; they have to unclench their fist.

Wealthy women have rights in every country. And poor women don’t.

Well I think in a marriage you have to be honest and ask yourself, you know, what is my role? What is my responsibility?

Well, human security is a concept that I am very committed to enshrining in American foreign policy.

Well, I think both Russia and China have a very strong aversion to interference in internal affairs.

Well, I think, by definition, all power has limits.

What I found when I became Secretary of State was a lot of doubts and a lot of concerns and fears from friends, allies, around the world.

What we have to do… is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.

When a new president comes in, a new president gets to clean house.

When an army unit returns from service in Iraq or Afghanistan, it barely gets a breather before it begins training for its next deployment.

When does life start? When does it end? Who makes these decisions?… Every day, in hospitals and homes and hospices… people are struggling with those profound issues.

When I was growing up, my parents always told me that I had to do what I thought was right and not listen to other people. That was hard for me.

When my hair was shorter, I used to get it done every couple of days… but I got tired of that.

When you’re the presidential nominee you get to pick whomever you choose to be on the ticket, and that person gets to say yes or no because, obviously, it’s a very important decision.

Whether a woman’s running for office or she’s supporting her husband who’s running for office and she gets criticised for wearing open-toed shoes or for the colour of her coat, there’s just a lot of history that you bear if you are a woman who puts herself out in the political arena.

Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.

You can go into neighborhoods in the United States where people dress a certain way because they don’t want to be out of touch, where boys wear pants down to their knees, which nobody has compelled them to do but they pick up the cultural norms, or where girls are improperly dressed by my eyes, but that’s what they see in the media.

You can’t just give a speech and expect people to fall down and agree with you.

You cannot have development in today’s world without partnering with the private sector.

You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And reproductive health includes contraception and family planning and access to legal, safe abortion.

You don’t walk away if you love someone. You help the person.

You feel sometimes when you hear analysts and knowledgeable people talking about Iran that they fear so much about the survival of the regime, because deep down it’s not a legitimate regime, it doesn’t represent the will of the people, it’s kind of morphed into kind of a military theocracy.

You have to be true to yourself.

You have to test your ideas in a public forum.

You know no one will ever accuse me as having the same policies as George W. Bush.

You know, everybody has setbacks in their life, and everybody falls short of whatever goals they might set for themselves. That’s part of living and coming to terms with who you are as a person.

You know, I think of the global economy as an inverted triangle, resting on the shoulders of the American consumer. And if the American consumer cannot have enough disposable income in order to maintain a standard of living that creates more opportunities generation after generation, that’s bad for everybody.

You know, my view is that we have a big world out there.

You know, people make a lot of money talking about me, don’t they?

You show people what you’re willing to fight for when you fight your friends.

You’re not a leader if you haven’t been elected.

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