Holidays & Occasions 4th of July Fourth of July Quotes By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 20, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images The Fourth of July brings lots of summery associations— barbecues spent in the summer sun, parties with friends and family, and seasonal fruits (watermelon and blueberries anyone?)—not to mention red, white, and blue everything. It's a day to celebate freedom, togetherness, and the USA, and we can't wait. This Fourth of July, let's enjoy summer, but let's also remember our shared American history and the meaning of the day. Celebrate our country's independence with these patriotic quotes. 01 of 51 Ralph Waldo Emerson on Opportunity "America is another name for opportunity."—Ralph Waldo Emerson 02 of 51 President Harry S. Truman on America's Courage "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."—President Harry S. Truman 03 of 51 Gerald Stanley Lee on Solidarity "America is a tune. It must be sung together."—Gerald Stanley Lee 04 of 51 Sinclair Lewis on America "Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country."—Sinclair Lewis 05 of 51 Walt Disney on Laughter "Laughter is America's most important export."—Walt Disney 06 of 51 Patrick Henry on Liberty "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"—Patrick Henry 07 of 51 President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Freedom "In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."—President Franklin D. Roosevelt 08 of 51 President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Choice "The history of free men is never really written by chance but by choice; their choice!"—President Dwight D. Eisenhower 09 of 51 Edward Abbey on Patriotism "A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government."—Edward Abbey 10 of 51 William Faulkner on Freedom "We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it."—William Faulkner 11 of 51 President George Washington on Peace "Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."—President George Washington 12 of 51 Kahlil Gibran on Liberty "Life without liberty is like a body without spirit."—Kahlil Gibran 13 of 51 President George W. Bush on Citizenship "America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens."—President George W. Bush 14 of 51 Marquis de Lafayette on Independence "Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country."—Marquis de Lafayette 15 of 51 President Barack Obama on Freedom "We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense."—President Barack Obama 16 of 51 Albert Camus on Freedom "Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better."—Albert Camus 17 of 51 President George Washington on Liberty "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."—President George Washington 18 of 51 Condoleezza Rice on the Essence of America "The essence of America — that which really unites us — is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion — it is an idea — and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn't matter where you came from but where you are going."—Condoleezza Rice 19 of 51 Carson McCullers on Solidarity "The most fatal thing a man can do is try to stand alone."—Carson McCullers 20 of 51 Mark Twain on Patriotism "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it."—Mark Twain 21 of 51 Rosa Parks on Freedom "I'd like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free and wanted other people to be also free."—Rosa Parks 22 of 51 Alexander Hamilton on Government "Vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty."—Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers 23 of 51 The U.N. on Free Speech "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."—United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights 24 of 51 Clarence Darrow on Patriotism "True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else."—Clarence Darrow 25 of 51 President James Madison on Liberty "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty."—President James Madison 26 of 51 Patriotic Painted Mason Jars Red, white, and blue are always appropriate colors on Southern porches, no matter what time of year it is. We love that these Patriotic Painted Mason Jars are functional, kid-friendly, and oh-so-charming. Fill with your favorite fresh blooms and display at your Fourth of July or summer party, or try using in the middle of your dinner table as an eye-catching centerpiece. 27 of 51 Voltaire on Free Speech "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."—Voltaire 28 of 51 President Woodrow Wilson on Resistance "Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance."—President Woodrow Wilson 29 of 51 President John F. Kennedy on America "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."—President John F. Kennedy 30 of 51 William Pitt on America "You cannot conquer America."—William Pitt 31 of 51 President Abraham Lincoln on Democracy "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."—President Abraham Lincoln 32 of 51 President Theodore Roosevelt on America "Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance."—President Theodore Roosevelt 33 of 51 Adlai Stevenson on Patriotism "I venture to suggest that patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."—Adlai E. Stevenson 34 of 51 President Thomas Jefferson on Equality "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."—Thomas Jefferson 35 of 51 President Barack Obama on Patriotism "So, let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look over not only ourselves, but each other."—President Barack Obama 36 of 51 President Abraham Lincoln on Freedom "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves"—President Abraham Lincoln 37 of 51 President Barack Obama on Change "In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it."—President Barack Obama 38 of 51 Benjamin Franklin on Liberty "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."—Benjamin Franklin 39 of 51 President Bill Clinton on America "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."—President Bill Clinton 40 of 51 President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Freedom "Only our individual faith in freedom can keep us free."—President Dwight D. Eisenhower 41 of 51 Nelson Mandela on Freedom "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."—Nelson Mandela 42 of 51 Hillary Rodham Clinton on Democracy "Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years but all the time. So let's do all we can to keep advancing the causes and values we all hold dear; making our economy work for everyone not just those at the top, protecting our country and protecting our planet and breaking down all the barriers that hold any American back from achieving their dreams."—Hillary Rodham Clinton 43 of 51 Adlai Stevenson on America "America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact — the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality."—Adlai E. Stevenson 44 of 51 President Theodore Roosevelt on Patriotism "Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else."—President Theodore Roosevelt 45 of 51 President Jimmy Carter on Human Rights "America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way round. Human rights invented America."—President Jimmy Carter 46 of 51 President Thomas Jefferson on Liberty "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."—President Thomas Jefferson 47 of 51 President John F. Kennedy on Liberty "If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty."—President John F. Kennedy 48 of 51 President Ronald Reagan on Fighting for Freedom "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."—President Ronald Reagan 49 of 51 Samuel Adams on Patriotism "If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin."—Samuel Adams 50 of 51 G. Edward Griffin on Patriotism "To oppose corruption in government is the highest obligation of patriotism."—G. Edward Griffin 51 of 51 President Thomas Jefferson on Liberty "Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty."—President Thomas Jefferson Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit