- [1996] Will you help me build a bridge to the 21st century?
- [in 1992, responding to a question about whether he ever smoked pot] I didn't inhale.
- [Wednesday, October 2nd, 2002 at the UK Labour Party Conference] It's good to be in a place where our crowd are still in office.
- What's the sacrifice that's being asked of people who make more than $1 million per year? It's the energy they have to expend opening the envelopes containing their tax cuts."
- [to British TV interviewer David Dimbleby after Dimbleby persisted in questioning him about the Monica Lewinsky incident] Look how much time you spent asking me these questions. And that's why people like you always help the far right because you like to hurt people, and you like to talk about how bad people are and all their personal failings. Look - you made a decision to allocate your time in a certain way. You should take responsibility for that. You should say "Yes, I care much more about this [the Lewinsky affair] than whether the Bosnian people were saved, than whether 27 million people had jobs at the end, and whether we moved a hundred times as many people out of poverty as [Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush]." This is what I care about."
- In some ways she [Hillary Clinton] would be better because of what we did together. First, she has the Senate experience I didn't have. Second, she would have had the eight years in the White House. I think she wouldn't make as many mistakes because, you know, we're older and more mature, and she is far more experienced now in all the relevant ways than I was when I took office. So I think in a way she has the best of both worlds.
- That's the difference in me and some, including all of the right-wingers who are attacking me now. They ridiculed me for trying [to kill Osama bin Laden]. They had eight months [before Tuesday, September 11th, 2001] to try; they did not try.
- You know, [George Bush] is always comparing me to [Elvis Presley] in sort of unflattering ways. I don't think Bush would have liked Elvis very much, and that's just another thing that's wrong with him.
- [discussing the balanced budget amendment] Obviously I don't support it, but I support the impulses that are giving rise to it.
- [on Richard Nixon]For the past year, even in the final weeks of his life, he gave me his wise counsel, especially with regard to Russia. One thing in particular left a profound impression on me. Though this man was in his ninth decade, he had an incredibly sharp and vigorous and rigorous mind. As a public man, he always seemed to believe the greatest sin was remaining passive in the face of challenges. And he never stopped living by that creed.
- [on life as an ex-President] When your ambition is slaked, it becomes more important to see something good happen than just to keep winning arguments. At some point, you're just glad when the sun comes up in the morning: you get up and you wait for something good to happen.
- I've had an improbable life, and a wonderful one full of faith, hope and love, as well as more than my share of grace and good fortune. As improbable as my life has been, it would have been impossible anywhere but America. Unlike so many people, I have been privileged to spend every day working for things I've believed in since I was a little boy hanging around my grandfather's store. I grew up with a fascinating mother who adored me, have learned at the feet of great teachers, have made a legion of loyal friends, have built a loving life with the finest woman I've ever known, and have a child who continues to be the light of my life.
- People don't like negative, divisive environments. But they frequently reward them in elections.
- [Pursuing Bin Laden during his term as President] After the bombing of the USS Cole, I had battle plans drawn to go into Afghanistan, to overthrow the Taliban and launch a full scale attack to search for Bin Laden - but first we needed basing rights in Pakistan. The CIA and the FBI refused to certify that he was responsible, while I was in office so I would have to send a few hundred Special Forces troops in Black Hawk helicopters. I failed to catch him but at least I tried.
- Indeed, I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible.
- [on Donald Trump] He doesn't know much. One thing he does know is how to get angry, white men to vote for him. [Dec.10, 2016]
- [on the death of his former Presidential opponent Bob Dole]: Bob Dole dedicated his entire life to serving the American people, from his heroism in World War II to the 35 years he spent in Congress. After all he gave in the war, he didn't have to give more. But he did. His example should inspire people today and for generations to come.
- [on the passing of his former Secretary-of-state, Madeleine Albright]: Madeleine's passing is an immense loss to the world in a time when we need the lessons of her life the most.
- I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.
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