Brian Mulroney

“A country, like an individual, has dignity and pride.”

“The definition of a statesman is a dead politician. We need more statesmen.”

“Canadians are a tolerant, generous people... but we are not a stupid people.”

“A mandate is a sacred trust. It is a commitment to the people who elected you.”

“The Meech Lake Accord was a reasonable and honourable compromise.”

“Nobody of any real consequence in Canada wants to be prime minister.”

“Free trade, one of the greatest blessings which a government can confer on a people, is in almost every country unpopular.”

“You don't build a country by tearing it down.”

“The glue that holds this country together is the tolerance and generosity of spirit of millions of ordinary Canadians.”

“Leadership is not a popularity contest. It's about making the right decisions and sticking to them.”

“There is no monopoly on wisdom.”

“The environment has become a mainstream, worldwide public policy issue.”

“In politics, you're not going to please everybody. The question is, did you do what you thought was right?”

“We are a nation of communities, and in our communities, we find our strength.”

“The deficit is the mortgage on our children's future.”

“The arts are not a frill. They are the heart of the matter.”

“My objective was to create a society where our children and grandchildren would have more opportunities than we did.”

“For me, the essence of leadership is to have a vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet.”

“History will be my judge.”

“Let us be judged by our deeds.”