Great Society Speech: Visions of America Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)

Quote #1

The purpose of protecting the life of our Nation and preserving the liberty of our citizens is to pursue the happiness of our people. (7)

What is the "pursuit of happiness" anyway, and how does it relate to life and liberty? Can't you be free but unhappy?

Quote #2

For half a century we called upon unbounded invention and untiring industry to create an order of plenty for all of our people. (10)

Except for the years of the Great Depression, the American economy was on a steady upward trajectory for the first half of the 20th century. LBJ seems to be saying that this mission is accomplished; now we have to shoot for something higher.

Quote #3

We have always prided ourselves on being not only America the strong and America the free, but America the beautiful. (44)

"America the Beautiful" was inspired by an 1893 trip to the Colorado Rockies. Talk about your purple mountain majesties. Lady Bird was a major force in getting her husband to think about the beauty of the natural environment, but as an old Texas ranch-dweller, he spent a lot of time in the great outdoors himself.