“I could have wiped Iran off the map”

“My name is Jimmy Carter and I am running for president.” – opening his acceptance speech on the Democratic National Convention on July 15, 1976.

“I looked at a lot of women with lust. I have committed adultery in my heart many times.” — Interview published within the November 1976 issue of Playboy magazine

“Because we are free, we can never be indifferent to the fate of freedom elsewhere. Our moral sense dictates a clear preference for those societies that share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights. “It is clear that a world that others can rule with impunity is contrary to decency and a threat to the well-being of all people.” — Inaugural Address, January 20, 1977.

“Our energy decision will test the character of the American people and the ability of the President and Congress to govern. This difficult effort will be the 'moral equivalent of war' – except that we will combine our efforts to build, not destroy.” — Nationally televised address on the energy crisis, April 18, 1977.

“I have ensured that there is peace in our country, which has been very rare since World War II, and I have tried to work for peace between other people not directly linked to the United States, for example between Egypt and Israel. I helped normalize diplomatic relations.” China and I even have implemented a really strong commitment to human rights that, for instance, has caused a shift from totalitarian military dictatorships to democracies throughout Latin America. So I might say that promoting peace and human rights were the 2 things that I'm most happy with.” – CNBC interview 2014.

“I want to be remembered as a champion of peace and human rights. These are the two things that I have found to be a kind of guide for my life. I did my best with it, which wasn't always successful. Of course, I would hope that the American people see that I tried to do what was best for our country every day of my time in office. – CNBC interview 2014.

“I could have been re-elected if I had taken military action against Iran. That would have shown that I was strong, determined and masculine. … I could have wiped Iran off the map with the weapons we had. But in this process many innocent people would have been killed, probably including the hostages. And so I defied all that advice, and eventually all my prayers were answered and all the hostages came home safe and free.” – Interview with CNBC 2014.

“Our American values ​​should not luxuries but necessities – not the salt in our bread, however the bread itself. Our shared vision of a free and just society is our best source of cohesion at home and strength abroad – greater even than wealth of our material.” Blessing. – Farewell address, January 14, 1981

“In order for us humans to personally acknowledge the inhumanity of war, we believe it is necessary to first dehumanize our opponents, which in itself is a violation of the beliefs of all religions. As soon as we characterize our opponents as outside the scope of God's mercy and grace, their lives lose all value when we plant landmines and days or years later a stranger – often a child – is maimed or killed. They drop bombs or missiles with almost impunity and want to never know the number or identity of the victims. — Lecture on the Nobel Peace PrizeDecember 10, 2002.

“It is imperative that the broader Arab community and all major Palestinian groups make clear that they will end suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism if international laws and the ultimate goals of the Roadmap to Peace are accepted by Israel.” – First Edition his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace, not Apartheid”.

“That was a terribly worded sentence that obviously ridiculously implied that I condoned terrorism and terrorist acts against Israeli citizens. … The 'when' was obviously a crazy and stupid word. My publishers were informed of this and have changed the sentence in all future editions of the book. — NPR interviewJanuary 25, 2007, referring to the previous quote.

“I have no doubt that if I had another term in office, I could have very decisively implemented the peace agreement that I negotiated with Israel and its neighbors, which was never fully implemented.” – Interview with CNBC 2014.

“This is a national tragedy and is not who we are as a nation. After watching elections in troubled democracies around the world, I know that we the people can, and we must, unite to come back from this brink and peacefully uphold our nation's laws.” “We pray together with our fellow citizens for a peaceful resolution so that our nation can heal and complete the transfer of power, as we have done for more than two centuries.” — Statement dated January 6, 2021after the insurrection at the US Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.

“I'm going to teach Sunday school next week.” – Comment at his church to a reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 16, 2015, four days after he announced he had metastasized cancer.

“I had a wonderful life, I had thousands of friends and I had an exciting, adventurous and fulfilling life.” – Address to reporters at the Carter Center, August 20, 2015.

“I found that I was completely comfortable with death. I didn't really care whether I died or lived. … Since then, I have been absolutely convinced that my Christian faith includes complete trust in life after death.” – Speech at Maranatha Baptist Church, November 3, 2019.