Great Ronald Reagan Quotes

President Ronald Reagan inspired and energized an entire generation of Americans to create better lives for themselves and their country. As we celebrate his 100th birthday on February 6, 2011, here are some of his greatest and most inspirational quotes.

---

"Common sense told us that when you put a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. So, we cut the people's tax rates, and the people produced more than ever before."

"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."

"Let us resolve tonight that young Americans will always ... find there a city of hope in a country that is free... And let us resolve they will say of our day and our generation, we did keep the faith with our God, that we did act worthy of ourselves, that we did protect and pass on lovingly that shining city on a hill."

"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them -- this morning, as they prepared for their journey, and waved good-bye, and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God."

"I have only one thing to say to the tax increasers: Go ahead, make my day."

"A nuclear war cannot be won, and must never be fought."

"The defense policy of the United States is based on a simple premise: The United States does not start fights. We will never be an aggressor. We maintain our strength in order to deter and defend against aggression -- to preserve freedom and peace."

" A people free to choose will always choose peace."

" Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have."

"All great change in America begins at the dinner table."

"Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement."

" Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets."

" Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."