Holidays & Entertaining Fourth of July/Memorial Day Fourth of July/Memorial Day Traditions 31 Stirring Fourth of July Quotes to Inspire a Patriotic Spirit These Independence Day quotes will put you in the holiday spirit. By Emily VanSchmus Emily VanSchmus Emily VanSchmus is the assistant digital home editor at Better Homes & Gardens, where she covers home decor, entertaining ideas, and more. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 14, 2021 While planning your picnic menu or deciding where to watch the celebratory fireworks, take a minute to brush up on the holiday's history. Read these 4th of July quotes from figures in our country's history for some patriotic inspiration. Whether you're looking for an Instagram caption or just need an extra dose of the American spirit, these Independence Day quotes will help you celebrate the holiday. Then, as you hang your Fourth of July decorations and make classic red, white, and blue desserts, you may want to reflect on what these words mean to you. 01 of 31 Do for Others "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." - President John F. Kennedy 02 of 31 Do What's Right "May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right." - Peter Marshall, Entertainer 03 of 31 Take a Risk "There is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country." – Congressman Nick Lampson 04 of 31 Achieve Freedom "In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." - President Franklin D. Roosevelt 05 of 31 Unite Through Ideas "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.” - Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State 06 of 31 Shape the Country “With every friendship you make and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.” - Former First Lady Michelle Obama 07 of 31 Earn Your Independence "Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.” - Coretta Scott King, Activist 08 of 31 Make a Sacrifice "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." - Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War Soldier 09 of 31 Fix Wrong with Right "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America." - President Bill Clinton 10 of 31 Love Our Country "In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it." - President Barack Obama 11 of 31 Cherish Our Freedom "The magic of America is that we're a free and open society with a mixed population. Part of our security is our freedom.” - Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary of State 12 of 31 Be the Best "The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” - Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist 13 of 31 Appreciate the Moment “How wonderful it is to be an American. We have known the best of times and the worst of times.” - Maya Angelou, Author 14 of 31 Revere the Flag “I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.” - Senator John Thune 15 of 31 Preserve Human Rights “Human rights is the soul of our foreign policy. And I say this with assurance, because human rights is the soul of our sense of nationhood.” - President Jimmy Carter 16 of 31 Find Opportunity “America is another name for opportunity." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Author 17 of 31 Act Heroic "I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom." - Bob Dylan, Musician 18 of 31 Be One Strong Nation “One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation evermore.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Former Associate Supreme Court Justice 19 of 31 Have Determination “America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” - President Harry S. Truman 20 of 31 Do Your Duty "Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be." - General Douglas MacArthur 21 of 31 Believe Impossible Things “Tonight I dare you to dream, go on to believe impossible things. Whenever anybody says there’s anything we can’t do, I mean after all, there’s an American flag on the moon.” - Brad Paisley, Musician 22 of 31 Respect Freedom "America, to me, is freedom." - Willie Nelson, Musician 23 of 31 Go Make History "Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history." - Senator John McCain 24 of 31 Stand for Something “We’re blessed with the opportunity to stand for something—for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to.” - President Ronald Reagan 25 of 31 Welcome Others "It’s important that we establish that we are a country that has open arms and not closed borders for people. It’s important because we let people know why America is what it is. It’s about an ideal and that ideal is freedom for everybody." - Oprah Winfrey, Television Host 26 of 31 Be Courageous "It's what the brave and courageous are fighting for, an open sail on a distant shore: Freedom." - Kenny Chesney, Musician 27 of 31 Speak Out "Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on." - Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall 28 of 31 Stay Free and Brave "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." - Elmer Davis, Reporter 29 of 31 Be Proud You're American “And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt, I love this land, God Bless the U.S.A.” - Lee Greenwood, Musician 30 of 31 Value Patriotism "True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom, and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth.” - Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt 31 of 31 Support Your Government "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." - Author Mark Twain Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit