The Scoutmaster who is a hero to his boys holds a powerful lever to their development but at the same time brings a great responsibility on himself. They are quick enough to see the smallest characteristic about him, whether it be a virtue or a vice.

The most important part of education is proper training in the nursery.

Science is the captain, and practice the soldiers.

Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.

The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.

Do the duty which lies nearest to you, the second duty will then become clearer.

A lot has happened over the years. And while this nation has been tested by war, and it’s been tested by recession and all manner of challenges – I stand before you again tonight, after almost two terms as your president, to tell you I am more optimistic about the future of America than ever before.

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

When I started Virgin from a basement in west London, there was no great plan or strategy. I didn’t set out to build a business empire… For me, building a business is all about doing something to be proud of, bringing talented people together and creating something that’s going to make a real difference to other people’s lives.

Work is of two kinds: first, altering the position of matter at or near the earth’s surface relative to other matter; second, telling other people to do so.

Through every victory and every setback, I’ve insisted that change is never easy and never quick; that we wouldn’t meet all of our challenges in one term, or one presidency, or even in one lifetime.

The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered by an occasional assassination.

I believe in benevolent dictatorship provided I am the dictator.

Virtue consists, not in abstaining from vice, but in not desiring it.

I know it’s going to be the private sector that leads this country out of the current economic times we’re in. You can spend your money better than the government can spend your money.

A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.

The wisest have the most authority.

Buy land. They ain’t making any more of the stuff.

The nose of a mob is its imagination. By this, at any time, it can be quietly led.

When the players go home, I can’t tell them what to do, so you need to create an atmosphere of trust. I don’t want to think, ‚What are they doing now? Do I need to call them?‘

Conscientious people are apt to see their duty in that which is the most painful course.

History has proven that each generation of Howard graduates will forge the way forward for our country and our world.

A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.

Let me tell you what I literally told every world leader I’ve met with, and I’ve met them all: It’s never, never, never been a good bet to bet against America. We have the finest fighting force in the world.

Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail.

And now, of course this is another thing I didn’t count on, that now as the governor of the state of California, I am selling California worldwide. You see that? Selling.

I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.

Certainly in the next 50 years we shall see a woman president, perhaps sooner than you think. A woman can and should be able to do any political job that a man can do.

Never forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity.

The 21st century is going to be the American century. Because we lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example. That is the history of the journey of America.

A leader who confines his role to his people’s experience dooms himself to stagnation; a leader who outstrips his people’s experience runs the risk of not being understood.

The more nobly a man wills and acts, the more avid he becomes for great and sublime aims to pursue. He will no longer be content with family, country, and the remunerative aspect of his work. He will want wider organisations to create, new paths to blaze, causes to uphold, truths to discover, an ideal to cherish and defend.

Who will take responsibility for raising the next generation?

The most successful politician is he who says what the people are thinking most often in the loudest voice.

I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as president I must put the interests of America first Therefore, I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.

Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of itself.

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

Do you realize the responsibility I carry? I’m the only person standing between Richard Nixon and the White House.

I take a lot of pride in the work I do, because people pay to see me. They’ve got to get babysitters, park their car, get popcorn and candy. I’ve got to be conscious of that.

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.

When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‚We did it ourselves.‘

There’s a lack of people in power that are motivated by the idea of helping people.

You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.

The President is always abused. If he isn’t, he isn’t doing anything.

Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.

And I think it’s that time. And I think if you just step aside and Mr. Romney can kind of take over. You can maybe still use a plane. Though maybe a smaller one. Not that big gas guzzler you are going around to colleges and talking about student loans and stuff like that.

Happiness is a virtue, not its reward.

Africa is on the rise.

Great bodies of people are never responsible for what they do.

Even if the politics needed doesn’t exist today, we still need to use our voices to make sure that the people in power are focused on the right things. Because this is a democracy, and in a democracy, people are the ones who run the country.

Man seems to be capable of great virtues but not of small virtues; capable of defying his torturer but not of keeping his temper.

Some day I shall be President.

The time has come for all evangelists to practice full financial disclosure. The world is watching how we walk and how we talk. We must have the highest standards of morality, ethics and integrity if we are to continue to have influence.

The President’s post should not be politicised. Once a president is elected, he is above politics.

A leader who doesn’t hesitate before he sends his nation into battle is not fit to be a leader.

When you’re in a leadership role, you can never please all of the people all of the time. There’s also a lot of responsibility that goes along with it that others may not realize.

Helped are those who create anything at all, for they shall relive the thrill of their own conception and realize a partnership in the creation of the Universe that keeps them responsible and cheerful.

By taking responsibility for how you choose to respond to anything or anyone, you’re aligning yourself with the beautiful dance of life.

It’s OK to have your eggs in one basket as long as you control what happens to that basket.

An individual step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual.