I hope Americans will read and study the Bible in the coming year. It's my firm belief that the enduring values, as I say, presented in its pages have a great meaning for each of us and for our nation.

I have learned that one of the most important rules in politics is poise - which means looking like an owl after you have behaved like a jackass.

Inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber and as deadly as a hit man.

Deficits, as I've often said, aren't caused by too little taxing, they're caused by too much spending. Presidents can't appropriate a dollar of tax payers money, only Congressmen can; and Congress is susceptible to all sorts of influences that have nothing to do with good government.

It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.

I have seen the rise and fall of Nazi tyranny, the subsequent cold war and the nuclear nightmare that for fifty years haunted the dreams of children everywhere. During that time my generation defeated totalitarianism. As a result, your world is poised for better tomorrows. What will you do on your journey?

We don't celebrate dependence day on the Fourth of July. We celebrate Independence Day.