Joe Biden quotes

The Middle East is hopeful. There's hope there.

The White House isn't the place to learn how to deal with international crisis, the balance of power, war and peace, and the economic future of the next generation.

There's a lot of revisionist history that goes on these days about Iraq.

No fundamental social change occurs merely because government acts. It's because civil society, the conscience of a country, begins to rise up and demand - demand - demand change.

My dad always said, 'Champ, the measure of a man is not how often he is knocked down, but how quickly he gets up.'

Fighting corruption is not just good governance. It's self-defense. It's patriotism.

Quite frankly, Russian aggression in Ukraine and its illegal occupation of Crimea remind us that we still have a good deal more work to do to guarantee the strategic vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace.

No fundamental social change occurs merely because government acts. It's because civil society, the conscience of a country, begins to rise up and demand - demand - demand change.

Here at home, when Americans were standing in long lines to give blood after the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, we squandered an obvious opportunity to make service a noble cause again, and rekindle an American spirit of community.

My dad used to have an expression - 'It is the lucky person who gets up in the morning, puts both feet on the floor, knows what they are about to do, and thinks it still matters.'

Our future cannot depend on the government alone. The ultimate solutions lie in the attitudes and the actions of the American people.

My father used to have an expression. He'd say, 'Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It's about your dignity. It's about respect. It's about your place in your community.'

A diplomatic solution that puts significant and verifiable constraints on Iran's nuclear program represents the best and most sustainable chance to ensure that America, Israel, the entire Middle East will never be menaced by a nuclear-armed Iran.

The effects of climate change are real and must be acted on.

I was kind of secretly hoping one of my kids would go out and make a million bucks. So when they put me in a home, at least I'll have a window with a view.

There is no inherent power in the office of the vice presidency. Zero. None. It's all a reflection of your relationship with the president. I mean, Kennedy never let Johnson in the office.

Corruption is a cancer: a cancer that eats away at a citizen's faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity; already-tight national budgets, crowding out important national investments. It wastes the talent of entire generations. It scares away investments and jobs.

We must rekindle the fire of idealism in our society.

We're going to be OK because of the American people. They have more grit, determination and courage than you can imagine.

America doesn't have health insurance.

Well, I thought the deal was, when you went to work for the government you weren't supposed to make money!

My recollection is - and I'd have to confirm this - but I don't recall paying any money to go to law school.

The devastating punch we took on September 11th still reverberates throughout American society.

I believe the American people have a genuine and justifiable fear of government intrusion in what they instinctively know is going to be an ever more intrusive world.

I have 'Parents' magazine in my home.

The moral disapprobation of society has an impact on behavior in societies.

I have a really close relationship with Mike Bloomberg.

Anyone who's traveled with me to Afghanistan knows why I love this book: 'War,' by Sebastian Junger.

Our future cannot depend on the government alone. The ultimate solutions lie in the attitudes and the actions of the American people.

Over the objections, where they sound like squealing pigs, over the objections of Romney and all his allies, we passed some of the toughest Wall Street regulations in history, turning Wall Street back into the allocator of capital it always has been and no longer a casino. And they want to repeal it.

This nuclear option is ultimately an example of the arrogance of power.

The White House isn't the place to learn how to deal with international crisis, the balance of power, war and peace, and the economic future of the next generation.

Anyone who's traveled with me to Afghanistan knows why I love this book: 'War,' by Sebastian Junger.

For too long in this society, we have celebrated unrestrained individualism over common community.

America's experience, like many others, teaches us that fostering entrepreneurship is not just about crafting the right economic policy or developing the best educated curricula. It's about creating an entire climate in which innovation and ideas flourish.

Let's just be smart this time. I'm looking for smart.

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.

Now, people when I say that look at me and say, 'What are you talking about, Joe? You're telling me we have to go spend money to keep from going bankrupt?'. The answer is yes, that's what I'm telling you.

A gaffe in Washington is someone telling the truth, and telling the truth has never hurt me.

'Obama and Biden want to raise taxes by a trillion dollars.' Guess what? Yes, we do in one regard: We want to let that trillion dollar tax cut expire so the middle class doesn't have to bear the burden of all that money going to the super-wealthy. That's not a tax raise. That's called fairness where I come from.

The greatest gift is the ability to forget - to forget the bad things and focus on the good.

I know I'm not supposed to like muscle cars, but I like muscle cars.

The White House isn't the place to learn how to deal with international crisis, the balance of power, war and peace, and the economic future of the next generation.

Failure at some point in your life is inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable.

When my first semester grades came out, my mom and dad told me I wouldn't be playing football.

Given a fair shot, given a fair chance, Americans have never, ever, ever, ever let their country down. Never. Never. Ordinary people like us. Who do extraordinary things.

The White House isn't the place to learn how to deal with international crisis, the balance of power, war and peace, and the economic future of the next generation.

Look folks, we know who built this country and we know who is going to rebuild it. It's you. Instead of vilifying you, we should be thanking you. We owe you.

When my first semester grades came out, my mom and dad told me I wouldn't be playing football.

For any young democracy, the most difficult but important step is burying the legacy of tyranny and establishing an economy and a government and institutions that abide by the rule of law. Every country faces challenges to the rule of law, including my own.

I graduated from the University of Delaware with a double major in history and political science.

I used to stutter really badly. Everybody thinks it's funny. And it's not funny. It's not.

No fundamental social change occurs merely because government acts. It's because civil society, the conscience of a country, begins to rise up and demand - demand - demand change.

Our future cannot depend on the government alone. The ultimate solutions lie in the attitudes and the actions of the American people.

Fighting corruption is not just good governance. It's self-defense. It's patriotism.

The Chinese have figured out that they have a giant environmental problem. Folks in Beijing, some days, literally can't breathe. Over a million Chinese die prematurely every year because of air pollution.

There used to be an old bad joke. I hope it's not so much a good joke anymore. 'Everybody's from Scranton; no one's in Scranton.'

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.

We don't want two-tier people in America. Those who are legal but not citizens, and citizens.

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.

The White House isn't the place to learn how to deal with international crisis, the balance of power, war and peace, and the economic future of the next generation.

Look, freedom is an overwhelming American notion. The idea that we want to see the world, the peoples of the world free is something that all of us subscribe to.

I used to say to my late wife, 'I have great faith in the American people.'

You've got to reach a hand of friendship across the aisle and across philosophies in this country.

Failure at some point in your life is inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable.

There's one advantage in having been around as long as I have. Everybody in the Senate knows me, and - I'm going to say something presumptuous, to repeat myself - I think most respect me.

This is absolutely bizarre that we continue to subsidize highways beyond the gasoline tax, airlines, and we don't subsidize, we don't want to subsidize a national rail system that has environmental impact.

Our future cannot depend on the government alone. The ultimate solutions lie in the attitudes and the actions of the American people.

I believe the American people have a genuine and justifiable fear of government intrusion in what they instinctively know is going to be an ever more intrusive world.

I graduated from the University of Delaware with a double major in history and political science.