Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–73,) identified as LBJ, was the 36th president of the US 1963–69. He succeeded to the presidency upon the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and was elected for a four-year term in 1964.
Born in Gillespie Country, Texas, LBJ served as a US Representative from Texas 1937–48, US Senator from Texas 1949–61, and vice president 1961–63 before assuming the presidency. His domestic reform programs in health, education, civil rights, and conservation were labeled the Great Society.
LBJ’s presidency was dominated by America’s increased involvement in the Vietnam War and the 1965–68 acute race riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.
LBJ was noted for his overpowering personality and his need to forcibly shape his political environment.
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The noblest search is the search for excellence.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Excellence
In Asia we face an ambitious and aggressive China, but we have the will and we have the strength to help our Asian friends resist that ambition. Sometimes our folks get a little impatient. Sometimes they rattle their rockets some, and they bluff about their bombs. But we are not about to send American boys 9 or 10,000 miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Democracy is a constant tension between truth and half-truth and, in the arsenal of truth, there is no greater weapon than fact
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Government
Our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man. Because all Americans just must have the right to vote. And we are going to give them that right. All Americans must have the privileges of citizenship regardless of race. And they are going to have those privileges of citizenship regardless of race.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
You aren’t learning anything when you’re talking.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Learning
We don’t propose to sit here in our rocking chair with our hands folded and let the Communists set up any government in the Western Hemisphere.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
I believe that the essence of government lies with unceasing concern for the welfare and dignity and decency and innate integrity of life for every individual. I don’t like to say this and wish I didnt have to add these words to make it clear but I willregardless of color, creed, ancestry, sex or age.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
If we are to live together in peace, we must come to know each other better.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Peace
In the Great Society, work shall be an outlet for mans interests and desires. Each individual shall have full opportunity to use his capacities in employment which satisfies personally and contributes generally to the quality of the Nations life.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Every child must be encouraged to get as much education as he has the ability to take. We want this not only for his sake but for the nations sake. Nothing matters more to the future of our country: not military preparedness for armed might is worthless if we lack the brain power to build a world of peace; not our productive economy for we cannot sustain growth without trained manpower; not our democratic system of government for freedom is fragile if citizens are ignorant.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
A president’s hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
A man can take a little bourbon without getting drunk, but if you hold his mouth open and pour in a quart, he’s going to get sick on it.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Men
Europe has been at peace since 1945. But it is a restless peace thats shadowed by the threat of violence. Europe is partitioned. An unnatural line runs through the heart of a very great and a very proud nation Germany. History warns us that until this harsh division has been resolved, peace in Europe will never be secure. We must turn to one of the great unfinished tasks of our generationand that unfinished task is making Europe whole again.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Every man should know that his conversations, his correspondence, and his personal life are private. I have urged Congressexcept when the Nations security is at staketo take action to that end.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. I urge this Congress and all Americans to join with me in that effort.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Doing what is right isn’t the problem; it’s knowing what is right.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
As it was 189 years ago, so today the cause of America is a revolutionary cause. And I am proud this morning to salute you as fellow revolutionaries. Neither you nor I are willing to accept the tyranny of poverty, nor the dictatorship of ignorance, nor the despotism of ill health, nor the oppression of bias and prejudice and bigotry. We want change. We want progress. We want it both abroad and at homeand we aim to get it.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
You never want to give a man a present when he’s feeling good. You want to do it when he’s down.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Manners
In the last few decades entire new categories of waste have come to plague and menace the American scene. Pollution is growing at a rapid rate. Pollution destroys beauty and menaces health. It cuts down on efficiency, reduces property values and raises taxes. Almost all these wastes and pollutions are the result of activities carried on for the benefit of man. A prime national goal must be an environment that is pleasing to the senses and healthy to live in. Our Government is already doing much in this field. We have made significant progress. But more must be done.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
I hope that you of the IPA will go out into the hinterland and rouse the masses and blow the bugles and tell them that the hour has arrived and their day is here; that we are on the march against the ancient enemies and we are going to be successful.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Where legitimate opportunities are closed, illegitimate opportunities are seized. Whatever opens opportunity and hope will help to prevent crime and foster responsibility.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
Topics: Opportunity
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