Don Lemon Quotes

Powerful Don Lemon for Daily Growth

About Don Lemon

Don Lemon, an American journalist and television host, was born on March 1st, 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Raised by a single mother who instilled in him the importance of education, Lemon moved to Boston at age 19 to attend college. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast journalism from Brooklyn College in 1990. His professional journey began as an intern at local TV stations and eventually led him to WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama, where he worked as a general assignment reporter. In 1996, Lemon joined CNN as a correspondent, covering stories such as the O.J. Simpson trial, Hurricane Katrina, and the presidential elections of 2008 and 2012. In 2014, Lemon was appointed host of CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, a primetime news program that provides analysis on politics, social issues, and entertainment. His candid style and willingness to tackle controversial topics have made the show a ratings success. Lemon's influential quotes reflect his commitment to truth, justice, and equality. "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that," he once said, emphasizing the power of empathy in overcoming divisiveness. In another quote, he stated, "When you turn on the news and see a black man or woman killed by a police officer, don't think 'that could happen to me.' Think 'that will happen to me.'" Despite facing criticism for his forthright opinions, Lemon continues to use his platform to address social injustice and advocate for underrepresented communities. He is also the author of two books: "Transparent" (2011) and "The First 15 Minutes" (2020), which explore themes of identity, personal growth, and the pursuit of success.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If you see something that's not right, not fair, not just, say something."

This quote emphasizes the importance of speaking up when encountering situations that are unfair or unjust. It encourages people to actively participate in promoting fairness and justice by voicing their concerns and calling out wrongdoings, rather than remaining passive observers.


"The greatest gift we can give our children is the ability to think for themselves."

Don Lemon's quote highlights the importance of fostering independent thinking in children. By enabling them to develop critical thinking skills, we are giving them the power to make their own decisions, solve problems, and form their own opinions. This ability equips them with the tools needed to navigate through life confidently and become self-reliant individuals who can contribute positively to society. It is a gift that will not only benefit them personally but also socially, as a population capable of questioning, analyzing, and solving problems collectively.


"There are no shortcuts in life or journalism. We have to earn our stripes, one story at a time."

This quote by Don Lemon emphasizes that success in life and journalism is achieved through hard work and dedication, rather than through shortcuts or easy paths. He suggests that progress should be made steadily, step-by-step, earning one's achievements over time through persistent effort on each task. This idea encourages persistence and resilience in the face of challenges, emphasizing that there is no substitute for putting in the hard work required to achieve one's goals.


"We all make mistakes. But we learn from those mistakes and move on."

This quote emphasizes the universal nature of human error, but also underscores the importance of learning and growth from our missteps. It encourages a mindset that is open to self-reflection, understanding, and the ability to progress beyond past mistakes. Essentially, it suggests that errors are not defining moments, but stepping stones towards personal and collective development.


"The truth isn't always comfortable, but it's important that we face it and deal with it in a responsible manner."

This quote by Don Lemon emphasizes the significance of honesty and fact-finding in our society. It suggests that while uncomfortable truths may challenge us or make us uneasy, they are crucial for our growth and development as individuals and communities. By embracing these truths and tackling them responsibly, we can foster understanding, empathy, and progress. Ignoring or suppressing the truth, on the other hand, can lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and stagnation. In essence, Lemon's quote encourages us to pursue truth fearlessly and confront it with maturity and integrity for the betterment of our world.


If I have my opinion about something, you have your opinion about something, we don't have to fight over it. And we can have a conversation. We can also disagree without being disagreeable, and we can just disagree, which is fine. It doesn't mean that I don't like you, or you don't like me. We just disagree.

- Don Lemon

Over It, About, Your, Disagreeable

Any atrocity that's committed against one person affects us all, and we are becoming more of one society, of a global society, so something that happens in the Middle East or something that happens in Africa, something that happens in Asia, affects all of us.

- Don Lemon

Africa, Committed, Becoming, Atrocity

More than 72 percent of children in the African-American community are born out of wedlock. That means absent fathers.

- Don Lemon

More, Means, Fathers, African-American

I love old school rock and roll.

- Don Lemon

Love, Rock, I Love, Old School

I think the Casey Anthony trial caught a lot of news organizations off guard.

- Don Lemon

Think, News, Lot, Casey

Whenever I see John Lewis, I invariably say, 'Thank you.' And I will never stop. I don't know how he's still standing, because what he endured took courage and strength that I don't know that I have.

- Don Lemon

Strength, Courage, I See, Lewis

The truth is the truth is the truth. And as long as you tell the truth, you'll be okay in the end.

- Don Lemon

Truth, Tell, Okay, In The End

My mom tells me every single day that she's proud of me.

- Don Lemon

Single, She, Tells, Every Single Day

More often than not, we think of ourselves as black, white, Asian, or Hispanic pretty much in this country, but the real America is much more than that.

- Don Lemon

Think, Country, Pretty, Hispanic

There are features that African Americans have that are similar! There are features that white people have that are similar! Features that Hispanic people have that are similar!

- Don Lemon

White, Similar, Features, Hispanic

I love Louisiana. There's no place on earth like Louisiana, and there's no city on earth like New Orleans. I grew up in Baton Rouge.

- Don Lemon

Love, New, Like, Baton

I don't know if I would have the same take on world matters and social issues if I were not gay.

- Don Lemon

Social, Issues, Take, Social Issues

In general, when I watch cable news during the day, it's frustrating because it reminds me of a game show. If I want to watch 'The Price is Right,' I'll watch 'The Price is Right.'

- Don Lemon

Game, News, Game Show, Reminds

I've never been one to take glee in anyone's demise, and when I saw Jerry Sandusky walk out in handcuffs, I did kind of feel a bit sorry for him, even though the jury found him to do some horrific things; I was like, 'His life is over.'

- Don Lemon

Some, Been, Demise, Glee

I know that some things are beyond our control, some illnesses are beyond our control, we get sick, we don't know why. But let's pledge to do whatever we can to avoid those high medical bills.

- Don Lemon

Medical, Some, Illnesses, Pledge

Most people would think if you're the prime news anchor, then you should sort of be this Edward R. Murrow, Clark Kent guy with the family and 2.5 kids - or the perky, cute yet smart Katie Couric.

- Don Lemon

Cute, Guy, Edward, Perky

Michael Jackson is an accidental civil rights leader - an accidental pioneer. He broke ground and barriers in so many different realms in artistry, in pictures, in movies, in music, you name it.

- Don Lemon

Leader, Broke, Artistry, Accidental

Some people are saying, 'Justin Bieber is racist.' Is he? I don't know.

- Don Lemon

People, Some, Justin Bieber, Justin

If I had had someone like me who had chosen to live their lives out and proud, there would be no need for the Tyler Clementis of the world.

- Don Lemon

Proud, Like, Lives, Tyler

I think it would be great if everybody could be out. But it's such a personal choice. People have to do it at their own speed. I respect that.

- Don Lemon

Think, Everybody, I Think, Personal Choice

We aren't as divided as we think we are. We're not just Republicans sitting in one corner, and Democrats sitting in the other corner.

- Don Lemon

Think, Other, Corner, Sitting

It doesn't matter if gun violence is down. We need to get guns and bullets and automatic weapons off the streets.

- Don Lemon

Gun, Guns, Streets, Weapons

Many people who know me call me 'the hardest working man in the news business' because you're never, ever going to outwork me.

- Don Lemon

Business, News, Going, Working Man

When people ask me why I'm amazed at what Barack Obama has accomplished, I tell them it's not because of what most of America and the world sees and knows of his history. It's because I witnessed what I can only describe as a bizarre turn of events that thrust him into position to even become a U.S. senator.

- Don Lemon

Tell, Bizarre, Obama, Thrust

I was hired by the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' to do commentary that makes people think. I want my audience to feel like they are learning and not being pandered to.

- Don Lemon

Think, Audience, Like, Hired

I believe in diversity in front of and behind the camera.

- Don Lemon

Diversity, Believe, Behind, Camera

It's not ideological to ask someone to stick to the question presented.

- Don Lemon

Someone, Ideological, Presented

The best way not to encounter America's health care system is not to have to encounter it.

- Don Lemon

Health, System, Best Way, Encounter

Being gay doesn't take your brain away or exclude me from having the same attributes as anyone else.

- Don Lemon

Away, Being, Having, Attributes

When someone is in our tribe, I think it's particularly easier for us to tell them apart, because we're used to their facial features.

- Don Lemon

Think, I Think, Particularly, Apart

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