Discussion Guide – Quotes of Consequence
Which quotes do you think are more important and why?
Directional quotes that ask the country to agree to behave in a certain way. For example, in the 1970s, Jimmy Carter asked the nation to lower their home thermostats to reduce energy use.
Aspirational quotes. For example, John F. Kennedy set the goal of putting a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s.
Informational quotes. For example, State of the Union addresses that lay out the country's economic, military, and social status.
Which quote did you find most surprising? Why?
Do you think inaugural addresses that lay out the aspirations of an incoming president are more important to the nation than farewell addresses that provide insights and learnings from a president’s experience?
Zachary Taylor said, “I have no private purpose to accomplish, no party objectives to build up, no enemies to punish—nothing to serve but my country.”
Do you think presidents need time to relax or should they be totally focused on the needs of the nation?
What do you think is the proper ratio of work/leisure for a president?
Ulyssis S. Grant is quoted as saying: “Keep church and state forever separate.”
Have we done a good job keeping religion and government separate? Why or why not?
On the hundredth anniversary of the country, President James Garfield said: “If the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
What do you think he was concerned about?
“I may be president of the United States, but my private life is nobody’s damned business” is a quote from Chester Arthur.
Do you think the public has the right to know about the private lives of our presidents?
Benjamin Harrison said that Americans are not responsible for policing the world. Do you agree or disagree?
Howard Taft believed the Supreme Court was more important than the presidency. He served as the 27th president and as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Which do you think is more important and why?
Jimmy Carter said, “Our commitment to human rights must be absolute, our laws fair, our natural beauty preserved; the powerful must not persecute the weak, and human dignity must be enhanced.”
Are our laws fair?
Are there times when the rights of the few should outweigh the rights of many?
Which is more important, preserving the environment or economic prosperity?