Great Quotes from American History

Here are some interesting quotes on important topics from key characters in American history, curated by the Papergy review team.

Ancestors

I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be. Abraham Lincoln

Authority

Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us? William O. Douglas

Civil disobedience

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison. Henry David Thoreau

Courage

Do one thing every day that scares you. Eleanor Roosevelt

Cuban Missile Crisis

Do you, Ambassador Zorin, deny that the USSR has placed and is placing medium - and intermediate - range missiles and sites in Cuba? Yes or no? Don't wait for the translation. Yes or no? You are in the courtroom of world opinion. You have denied they exist, and I want to know if I understood you correctly. I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over. And I am also prepared to present the evidence in this room! Adlai Stevenson

Equal opportunity

Sitting at the table doesn't make you a diner, unless you eat some of what's on that plate. Being here in America doesn't make you an American. Being born here in America doesn't make you an American. Malcolm X

Freedom

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words, Ich bin ein Berliner. John F. Kennedy

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! Patrick Henry

No man is good enough to govern another man without his consent.

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No man is good enough to govern any woman without her consent. Susan B. Anthony

Freedom from fear

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Freedom of speech

I think the most un-American thing you can say is, 'You can't say that. Garrison Keillor

Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience that hissed yesterday may applaud today, even for the same performance. William O. Douglas

Gender equity

I do not believe that women are better than men. We have not wrecked railroads, nor corrupted legislatures, nor done many unholy things that men have done; but then we must remember that we have not had the chance. Jane Addams

Happiness

The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. Benjamin Franklin

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Inspirational words on discrimination and hardship from famous women in history

Throughout history, women have been working hard to ensure that the female voice is heard. These quotes curated by the Papergy review team demonstrate how women have gone the extra mile to gain equality and advocate for a better world.

“Tremendous amounts of talent are being lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.” – Shirley Chisholm, first African-American woman elected to U.S. Congress

“A girl should not expect special privileges because of her sex but neither should she adjust to prejudice and discrimination.” – Betty Friedan, writer and activist credited with sparking 20th-century wave of feminism

“I raise up my voice—not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard… We cannot succeed when half of us are held back.” – Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate

“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” – Frida Kahlo, 20th-century Mexican painter

“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” – Serena Williams

“Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. And, when you stumble, keep faith. And, when you're knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.” – Hillary Clinton

“Have no fear of perfection; you'll never reach it.” – Marie Curie, chemist who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

“Think like a queen. A queen if not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey, media mogul and North America's first black multi-billionaire

For more great historical content, head over to Papergy today.

Powerful quotes from history

It’s not just history buffs who may know these famous quotes from history curated by the Papergy review team, but you may too!

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." - Aristotle

"Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself." - Charlie Chaplin

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston S. Churchill

"I think; therefore I am." - René Descartes

"Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." - Sun Tzu

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius

"Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit." - Khalil Gibran

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates

"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying." - Jeanne d'Arc

"Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold." - Bob Marley

For plenty more historical content, check out Papergy today.

Powerful sayings and famous historical quotes

You may know a few of these historical quotes, so if you are a history buff, why not enjoy them all curated by the Papergy review team?

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." - Michelangelo

“I pay no attention whatsoever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings." - Mozart

"I came, I saw, I conquered." - Julius Caesar

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please." - Karl Marx

"Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more." - Nikola Tesla

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." - John F. Kennedy

For plenty more historical content, head over to Papergy today.

Best Books on the Roman Empire

History is a fascinating subject, and one that not only gives you a sense of different eras, but also teaches us great lessons. One of the best and most turbulent eras in history is the development of the Roman Empire. You can find many books on this subject on sites like Papergy. However, here is a selection of the best books you can find on the Roman Empire.

The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

There is no doubt that Roman historians like Suetonius have helped people understand how Rome acted and behaved. There are other Roman historians that are also important such as Tacitus, but this book features biographies of the first 12 Roman rulers including Julius Caesar. It features incredible insight into a world long ago.

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon

While many might think that this book is slow going, it actually has an easy reading style that is modeled on the famous Roman historian Tacitus. This book focuses particularly on the events and actions that led to the eventual decline and fall of the Roman Empire. This book is available on sites like Papergy, and can be found as one book, or a series of volumes.

The Roman Revolution by Ronald Syme

After the fall of the Roman Republic, Augustus led Rome into a new era. This book looks at that transformation, but has motives that were ongoing when this book was written. Published just before the outbreak of World War II, there are nods to the current political situations of the time. In particular Mussolini, who openly modeled himself on Augustus.

For more books on the Roman Empire, check out the selection on Papergy.

Top Soccer History Books

With Euro 2020 just around the corner, much of the world will be watching the best teams in Europe battle it out. Although it might not have all the flair of the World Cup, it still captures the imagination of millions of people. There are many books on the history of football on sites like Papergy, but here are some of the must-read books you need to catch up on your football lore.

The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football by David Goldblatt

With over 1000 pages, this isn’t a light read, but it is one of the most comprehensive books charting the history of soccer. From the sports' early days, it takes you through all the changes and incidents that go on to shape the game as we know it today. You can find this hefty book on Papergy.

Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer by David Winner

Holland has always been one of the best teams in Europe and also the world at times. However, there have also been incidents that have caused unrest in the camps. This book focuses on the history of the game in the Netherlands, and delves into the culture that football has in the country.

The Club by Joshua Robinson & Jonathan Clegg

English football has always had its ups and downs, but the development of the Premier League brought not only fame, but also money to the clubs lucky enough to play in it. Football is now as much a business as it is a sport, and that isn’t always a good thing.

To read more books on Soccer, check out the catalogue on Papergy.

Best History Audiobooks

History can give you a wonderful insight into other ways of life and cultures. However, reading these books can sometimes be slow going, especially for complicated issues. That is where audiobooks such as those on Papergy can be invaluable. Here are some of the best history audiobooks you can download now.

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

The Wright Brothers pioneered mechanical flight in the 20th century and paved the way for modern airplanes. McCullough narrates his own book here, and you can easily hear his admiration for these early inventors. This book seeks to delve into their personal lives and the struggles they had to endure.

Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy

Arguably one of the most famous of the Roman Emperors, Julius Caesar turned Rome into the capital of an empire and made enemies as well as friends. This book, narrated by Derek Perkins, tells the parts of Caesar’s life that many other historical works omit. You can find it on Papergy along with many others that feature historical figures.

The Great Mortality by John Kelly

A telling book given recent events, The Great Mortality looks at real accounts of people living during The Black Death. Narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies brings these accounts to life in a way that is both enlightening and terrifying.

The Last Lion by William Manchester

Most people are aware of the impact Winston Churchill had on the Second World War, but his life and adventures after this time are not so well known. Narrated by Clive Chafer, the book delves into the latter years of Churchill’s life and offers a more rounded picture of this formidable person.

To find more books like these, take a look at the collection available on Papergy.