Obama grew up mostly in Hawaii with two years spent in Washington state and four years in Indonesia before returning to Hawaii for high school at Punahou School. He developed a fascination with basketball that he retains today during that time. After graduating from Columbia University in 1983, he worked as a community organizer in Chicago’s South Side, helping low.
In this blog post, we look at some famous quotes from Barrak Obama and implement them in different aspects of our lives.
1. “When you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”
Obama was arguing in favour of the principle of fairness, and he argued that when people’s taxes are lowered, they tend to spend more money which creates business opportunities. Looking for quotes on “fairness” will show you how much this principle is at the centre of Obama’s thoughts about governing.
2. “I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”
Obama was arguing in favour of the principle of fairness, and he argued that when people’s taxes are lowered, they tend to spend more money which creates business opportunities. Look up “fairness” quotes if you want to see how much this principle is at the centre of Obama’s thoughts about governing.
3. “I am more mindful probably than most of not only our incredible strengths and capabilities but also the mistakes that we’ve made over the years.”
This quote shows Obama’s self-awareness. It shows his humility. This is part of what makes him an excellent leader. He does not think he knows everything or has all the answers, so he is willing to learn from people who have more experience.
4. “I’m thinking about saving at a bank!”
Humour is an excellent way to connect with people, especially when making fun of yourself. It shows that you are not taking yourself too seriously and can laugh at yourself, which makes other people trust you easier. This quote shows Obama’s ability to laugh at himself and that he is a man of the people.
5. “I have become fond of this term ‘Obamacare.’ I do care.”
This quote is funny and shows Obama’s ability to think on his feet. He was able to turn something negative into a positive, which helped him connect with an audience in a very genuine way. This is one of the many reasons people trusted him as a leader.
6. “Don’t tell me words don’t matter.”
Obama was correct on this point, especially when trying to motivate people. Words have the power to uplift or tear down, so you need to choose your words carefully! For example, compliment someone rather than say something negative.
7. “I have made this trip only recently, but it’s never too late to make the journey.”
This is one of many quotes highlighting Obama’s humility and desire for learning. He says that no matter how old you are, there is always time to learn something new! You can always try to do something new or learn something you did not know before.
8. “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
This shows Obama’s belief in people and their ability to affect change. He knows that people want to be active participants in the process rather than feel powerless. People get excited when they feel like they control their lives, and this quote highlights that excitement.
9. “When I am finally laid to rest, the world will likely be a different place.”
This is one of Obama’s pensive moments when he seems to be contemplating his legacy. He knows that nothing lasts forever, even though after he leaves office, his legacy will still be around long after he is gone. This quote shows how deeply Obama thinks about the big picture and its meaning for him and others.
10. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time.”
This quote encapsulates one of Obama’s main messages as a leader: people need to take action themselves. People are inspired when they feel like they have lent their own hands in the process of achieving change.
11. “A family looking for a home shouldn’t have to choose between fighting off foreclosure or fighting the crowds at a holiday sale.”
This shows Obama’s focus on ordinary Americans and what he sees as most important for society. It shows that he is thinking about the rich and the poor. He wants to protect ordinary people from being crushed by powerful institutions or special interest groups.
12. “We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.”
This quote highlights Obama’s desire to change things, even though some things will stay the same for the better. This is something that Obama has tried to do throughout his presidency with varying degrees of success. He says that he comes into work every day wanting to make a positive difference.
13. “We are not as divided as our politics suggests.”
This quote shows how different Obama’s vision is compared to the way people often look at politics today. He believes we are more united than we realize and should work together for a common cause, rather than demonizing one another.
14. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time.”
This quote shows Obama’s belief in people and their ability to affect change. He knows that people want to be active participants in the process rather than feel powerless. People get excited when they feel like they control their lives, and this quote highlights that excitement.
15. “We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times… and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK.”
This quote shows how Obama thinks about climate change domestically. He believes change needs to happen in the United States for people to be more accepting of it across the world.
16. “I can’t do these things on my own. … I have to have the help of Congress, and I have to have the help of citizens.”
This is a quote that shows Obama’s sense of humility. He knows his limitations, but he doesn’t let that stop him from achieving great things for society! Even though he can’t do everything on his own, he knows the importance of cooperation.
17. “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right.”
This is one of Obama’s most famous quotes. It shows his humility and resolves during what was arguably the hardest moment of his presidency–when America witnessed its first mass killing by an extremist using firearms. Yet, Obama used this moment to bring people together because he knows that Americans are stronger when they work together.
18. “I believe in American exceptionalism with every fibre of my being.”
Obama agrees with the basic idea behind this phrase but sees it as different from how many neo-conservatives use it (to justify selfish decisions domestically or abroad). He believes in America’s greatness, but also the importance of upholding international law along with our great power.
19. “In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity — it is a pre-requisite.”
This quote shows Obama’s understanding that the world has changed because of technology. People connected to other people and institutions can take advantage of new opportunities. Education is crucial for equipping people with the skills they need to succeed in today’s society.
20. “You know, my faith admits some doubt.”
This quote shows Obama’s ability to accept himself as a human being. He knows he isn’t perfect, but his faith guides him to do the right thing anyway. People shouldn’t be afraid of admitting their doubts because they are willing to learn new things and grow as people.
21. “If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.”
This quote shows Obama’s belief in hard work and determination. He has met many people during his life who think they should give up on something if they aren’t immediately successful, but he knows it is important to stay committed to a goal. As long as you believe in yourself and your cause, things will eventually start going your way!
22. “We can afford survival.”
This was Obama’s message to the American people at the beginning of his presidency (during a time of extreme economic instability). He wanted to reassure them that things would be okay and we would survive as a nation even if there were some financial hardships along the way.
23. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person … or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
This quote shows Obama’s understanding of being a leader and an agent of change. He is very aware that he can’t do everything on his own–he needs the help of his constituents. But, when Americans come together, they can accomplish great things!
24. “One voice can change a room.”
This quote shows that Obama believes that one person can make a difference by standing up for what is right. Therefore, he encourages people to share their voices because it can affect many others positively.
25. “We need to steer clear of this poverty of ambition, where people want to drive fancy cars and wear nice clothes and live in nice apartments but don’t want to work hard to accomplish these things. Everyone should try to realize their full potential.”
Obama believes in the importance of challenging yourself because it helps you grow as a person. He doesn’t think people should be content to buy a bunch of stuff and lead a sedentary life, but they should also work hard to achieve their goals to succeed in life!