The 50 Most Inspiring Paragraphs Ever Spoken in Speeches

Throughout history, certain speeches have echoed through time, inspiring millions and shaping the future. Here are 50 of the most inspiring paragraphs ever spoken in speeches, each with its historical context and significance
## 1. **Abraham Lincoln – Gettysburg Address (November 19, 1863)**
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

### Backstory
Lincoln delivered this speech during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It redefined the war’s purpose, emphasizing equality and the struggle for a unified nation.

## 2. **Martin Luther King Jr. – I Have a Dream (August 28, 1963)**
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”

### Backstory
Delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, King’s speech became a defining moment of the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for an end to racism and the realization of civil and economic rights for all.

## 3. **John F. Kennedy – Inaugural Address (January 20, 1961)**
“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

### Backstory
During his inaugural address, Kennedy inspired a sense of duty and service among Americans. His call to action emphasized civic responsibility and was a defining moment of his presidency.

## 4. **Franklin D. Roosevelt – First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1933)**
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

### Backstory
Amid the Great Depression, Roosevelt’s speech aimed to restore public confidence. His reassurance and bold plans for recovery helped set the tone for his New Deal policies.

## 5. **Nelson Mandela – Release from Prison Speech (February 11, 1990)**
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.”

### Backstory
After 27 years in prison, Mandela’s release marked a turning point in South Africa’s history. His speech underscored his commitment to reconciliation and equality, setting the stage for the end of apartheid.

## 6. **Susan B. Anthony – On Women’s Right to Vote (1873)**
“It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.”

### Backstory
Anthony delivered this speech after being arrested for voting illegally. It highlighted the exclusion of women from democratic processes and galvanized support for the women’s suffrage movement.

## 7. **Elizabeth Cady Stanton – Solitude of Self (January 18, 1892)**
“The strongest reason why we ask for woman a voice in the government under which she lives; in the religion she is asked to believe; equality in social life, where she is the chief factor; a place in the trades and professions, where she may earn her bread, is because of her birthright to self-sovereignty.”

### Backstory
Stanton’s farewell speech as president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association emphasized individual dignity and independence, advocating for women’s rights beyond just the vote.

## 8. **Barack Obama – Yes We Can (January 8, 2008)**
“It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes we can.”

### Backstory
After winning the Iowa caucuses, Obama’s speech resonated with a message of hope and change. It became a rallying cry for his campaign and a symbol of a new era in American politics.

## 9. **Ronald Reagan – Address to the Nation on the Challenger (January 28, 1986)**
“The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.”

### Backstory
In the aftermath of the Challenger disaster, Reagan’s speech provided comfort and inspiration. His words honored the astronauts’ bravery and reinforced a commitment to space exploration.

## 10. **Margaret Thatcher – The Lady’s Not for Turning (October 10, 1980)**
“To those waiting with bated breath for that favorite media catchphrase, the U-turn, I have only one thing to say: You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning.”

### Backstory
Thatcher’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference affirmed her steadfast commitment to her economic policies, reinforcing her image as a determined and uncompromising leader.

## 11. **Franklin D. Roosevelt – Pearl Harbor Address (December 8, 1941)**
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

### Backstory
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt’s speech united the nation in its resolve to enter World War II. His call to arms galvanized American support for the war effort.

## 12. **Malala Yousafzai – United Nations Youth Assembly (July 12, 2013)**
“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”

### Backstory
After surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban, Malala’s speech at the UN emphasized the importance of education and women’s rights, inspiring a global movement for change.

## 13. **John F. Kennedy – Moon Speech (September 12, 1962)**
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

### Backstory
Kennedy’s speech at Rice University set the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon. It spurred American innovation and determination during the space race.

## 14. **Nelson Mandela – Inaugural Address (May 10, 1994)**
“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”

### Backstory
Mandela’s inauguration as South Africa’s first black president marked the end of apartheid. His speech celebrated the triumph of democracy and reconciliation.

## 15. **Eleanor Roosevelt – The Struggle for Human Rights (September 28, 1948)**
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world.”

### Backstory
Speaking at the United Nations, Eleanor Roosevelt championed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her advocacy for human rights set a global standard for freedoms and protections.

## 16. **Harvey Milk – Hope Speech (June 25, 1978)**
“Without hope, not only gays, but those blacks, and the Asians, and the disabled, the seniors—the ‘us’s’—without hope, the ‘us’s’ give up.”

### Backstory
As one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., Milk’s speech emphasized the power of hope and the importance of representation for marginalized communities.

## 17. **Robert F. Kennedy – On the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968)**
“What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country.”

### Backstory
Kennedy delivered this impromptu speech in Indianapolis, urging peace and unity amidst the turmoil following King’s assassination. His words helped to calm a nation in grief.

## 18. **Lyndon B. Johnson – The Great Society (May 22, 1964)**
“The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice, to which we are totally committed in our time.”

### Backstory
Johnson’s commencement address at the University of Michigan outlined his vision for a Great Society, which included major legislative reforms in civil rights, poverty, and education.

## 19. **George Washington – Farewell Address (September 19, 1796)**
“Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.”

### Backstory
In his farewell address, Washington warned against political parties and foreign alliances, setting a precedent for future American foreign policy and domestic governance.

## 20. **Emmeline Pankhurst – Freedom or Death (November 13, 1913)**
“You have to make more noise than anybody else, you have to make yourself more obtrusive than anybody else, you have to fill all the papers more than anybody else, in fact, you have to be there all the time and see that they do not snow you under.”

### Backstory
Pankhurst, a leading suffragette, delivered this speech in Connecticut to advocate for women’s voting rights. Her militant approach was instrumental in advancing the suffrage movement in the UK.

## 21. **Theodore Roosevelt – The Man in the Arena (April 23, 1910)**
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”

### Backstory
Roosevelt’s speech in Paris highlighted the importance of perseverance and effort, celebrating those who strive valiantly despite failures and criticism.

22. Franklin D. Roosevelt – The Four Freedoms (January 6, 1941)

“In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.”

Backstory

Addressing Congress, Roosevelt outlined his vision for a post-war world where everyone enjoyed freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

23. Marie Curie – Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech (December 11, 1911)

“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

Backstory

Curie, the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences, emphasized perseverance and self-belief in her acceptance speech, inspiring future generations of scientists.

24. Golda Meir – Address to the Knesset (May 26, 1969)

“We can forgive you for killing our sons. But we will never forgive you for making us kill yours.”

Backstory

Israel’s Prime Minister Meir addressed the Knesset amidst ongoing conflict with neighboring Arab states. Her speech underscored the sorrow and tragedy of war.

25. Jacinda Ardern – Christchurch Mosque Shootings Response (March 15, 2019)

“They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not.”

Backstory

After the tragic mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Ardern’s speech emphasized unity and compassion, rejecting hate and division.

26. Queen Elizabeth I – Speech to the Troops at Tilbury (August 9, 1588)

“I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.”

Backstory

On the eve of the Spanish Armada’s invasion, Elizabeth I’s speech bolstered the morale of her troops, showcasing her leadership and resolve to defend England.

27. Leonardo DiCaprio – UN Climate Summit (September 23, 2014)

“You can make history…or be vilified by it.”

Backstory

Actor and activist DiCaprio addressed world leaders at the UN Climate Summit, urging immediate and bold action to combat climate change, leveraging his platform for environmental advocacy.

28. George Marshall – Marshall Plan Speech (June 5, 1947)

“Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos.”

Backstory

Secretary of State Marshall’s speech at Harvard University outlined the European Recovery Program (Marshall Plan), which was instrumental in rebuilding Europe after World War II.

29. Fred Rogers – Testimony before the Senate (May 1, 1969)

“What do you do with the mad that you feel? When you feel so mad you could bite? … I think it’s important to know that we can be angry and upset with other people, but we can still make an effort to understand them.”

Backstory

Rogers, beloved TV host, testified before the Senate to advocate for public television funding. His heartfelt plea successfully secured financial support for educational programming.

30. Woodrow Wilson – Fourteen Points (January 8, 1918)

“It is that the world be made fit and safe to live in; and particularly that it be made safe for every peace-loving nation.”

Backstory

Wilson’s speech to Congress outlined his vision for a post-World War I order based on peace and democracy, influencing the creation of the League of Nations and shaping international relations.

31. Vaclav Havel – New Year’s Address (January 1, 1990)

“People, your government has returned to you!”

Backstory

Czech President Havel’s New Year’s Address marked the end of communist rule in Czechoslovakia. His speech celebrated the return of democracy and freedom to the people.

32. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Inaugural Address (January 16, 2006)

“My administration shall endeavor to give Liberians the freedom they so richly deserve, to liberate them from the yoke of poverty, deprivation and fear.”

Backstory

As Africa’s first elected female head of state, Sirleaf’s inauguration speech in Liberia emphasized her commitment to democratic governance and national reconstruction.

33. Tony Blair – Diana Memorial Speech (September 6, 1997)

“She was the people’s princess and that’s how she will stay, how she will remain, in our hearts and in our memories forever.”

Backstory

Blair’s tribute to Princess Diana after her tragic death resonated with the public, capturing the profound sense of loss and the enduring legacy of the beloved royal.

34. John Lewis – March on Washington (August 28, 1963)

“We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. And then you holler, ‘Be patient.’ How long can we be patient? We want our freedom and we want it now.”

Backstory

Civil rights leader Lewis, then just 23, delivered this fiery speech at the March on Washington, highlighting the urgency and impatience of the fight for racial justice.

35. Margaret Thatcher – Bruges Speech (September 20, 1988)

“Europe will be stronger precisely because it has France as France, Spain as Spain, Britain as Britain, each with its own customs, traditions, and identity.”

Backstory

Thatcher’s speech at the College of Europe in Bruges emphasized her vision of a decentralized European Community, advocating for national sovereignty within Europe.

36. Anwar Sadat – Speech to the Knesset (November 20, 1977)

“Peace is not a mere slogan, but the basis for progress and prosperity.”

Backstory

Egyptian President Sadat’s historic visit to Israel and his speech to the Knesset marked a significant step towards peace between the two nations, leading to the Camp David Accords.

37. Benazir Bhutto – Address to the US Congress (June 7, 1989)

“The message is clear: democracy, justice, and development.”

Backstory

As Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Bhutto’s address to Congress highlighted her commitment to democratic governance, social justice, and economic development in Pakistan.

38. Al Gore – Nobel Peace Prize Lecture (December 10, 2007)

“We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity.”

Backstory

Gore’s Nobel lecture emphasized the urgent need for action on climate change, leveraging his recognition to raise awareness and inspire global environmental efforts.

39. Aung San Suu Kyi – Freedom from Fear (1990)

“Within a system which denies the existence of basic human rights, fear tends to be the order of the day. Fear of imprisonment, fear of torture, fear of death, fear of losing friends, family, property, or means of livelihood, fear of poverty, fear of isolation, fear of failure.”

Backstory

Suu Kyi’s essay, written under house arrest, highlighted the pervasive fear under authoritarian rule in Myanmar. Her words inspired the pro-democracy movement in the country.

40. David Cameron – 2015 Election Victory Speech (May 8, 2015)

“Together we can make Great Britain greater still.”

Backstory

After winning a surprise majority, Cameron’s speech emphasized unity and national pride, setting the tone for his second term as Prime Minister of the UK.

41. Angela Merkel – Migration Crisis Speech (August 31, 2015)

“We can do this.”

Backstory

During the European migration crisis, German Chancellor Merkel’s brief but powerful statement expressed confidence in Germany’s ability to handle the influx of refugees, highlighting humanitarian responsibility.

42. Justin Trudeau – Eulogy for Pierre Trudeau (October 3, 2000)

“He loved us with a passion and a devotion that encompassed his life.”

Backstory

Justin Trudeau’s eulogy for his father, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, was a heartfelt tribute that resonated with the nation and hinted at his own future in politics.

43. Emma Watson – HeForShe Speech at the UN (September 20, 2014)

“Gender equality is your issue too.”

Backstory

Watson’s speech as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador launched the HeForShe campaign, urging men to join the fight for gender equality, inspiring global participation.

44. Cory Aquino – Inaugural Address (February 25, 1986)

“I am not here to just enjoy the power and prestige of the presidency. I am here to make a difference.”

Backstory

Aquino’s inauguration as President of the Philippines marked the end of Ferdinand Marcos’s dictatorship. Her speech emphasized democratic restoration and national healing.

45. Martin Luther King Jr. – Mountaintop Speech (April 3, 1968)

“I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.”

Backstory

Delivered the night before his assassination, King’s speech in Memphis, Tennessee, resonated with prophetic urgency and reinforced his commitment to justice and equality.

46. **Pope Francis – Address to the US Congress (September 24, 2015)**

“The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.”

Backstory

Pope Francis’s historic address to Congress called for compassion, justice, and environmental stewardship, urging American leaders to act with moral integrity.

47. Jimmy Carter – Crisis of Confidence Speech (July 15, 1979)

“The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America.”

Backstory

Carter’s televised address confronted the nation’s economic and energy crises, calling for a collective effort to overcome the challenges and restore faith in the American dream.

48. Theresa May – Brexit Speech (January 17, 2017)

“Brexit means Brexit.”

Backstory

As Prime Minister, May’s speech at Lancaster House outlined the UK’s plans for leaving the European Union, emphasizing national sovereignty and a strong, independent future.

49. Vladimir Putin – Crimea Annexation Speech (March 18, 2014)

“In people’s hearts and minds, Crimea has always been an inseparable part of Russia.”

Backstory

Putin’s speech justified Russia’s annexation of Crimea, appealing to historical and cultural ties. It marked a significant geopolitical shift and strained international relations.

50. Michelle Obama – Democratic National Convention (July 25, 2016)

“When they go low, we go high.”

Backstory

In her DNC speech, the former First Lady addressed political divisiveness with a message of resilience and moral integrity, inspiring civility and positivity in political discourse.

These speeches, delivered across different eras and contexts, share a common thread: they have the power to inspire, to call for change, and to remind us of our shared humanity. Each paragraph stands as a testament to the enduring impact of words well spoken.