Ferdinand Marcos Quotes

Powerful Ferdinand Marcos for Daily Growth

About Ferdinand Marcos

Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr., born on September 11, 1917, in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, was a controversial yet influential figure as the President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. Known for his political and martial arts background, Marcos's life and rule were marked by significant events that shaped the course of Philippine history. Marcos began his career in politics in the House of Representatives, where he served from 1949 to 1959. He then moved on to become a Senator before winning the presidency in 1965. His rule was characterized by economic growth and modernization, but also allegations of corruption, human rights violations, and dictatorial rule. One of Marcos's notable quotes is, "We are now moving toward a new era of national greatness." This sentiment was reflected in his Vision 2000 program, which aimed to transform the Philippines into an industrialized nation by the year 2000. However, this vision was marred by allegations of massive corruption and misuse of government funds. Marcos's rule ended dramatically with the People Power Revolution in 1986, during which millions of Filipinos gathered to peacefully demand his resignation. He was subsequently exiled to Hawaii, where he passed away on September 28, 1989. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Ferdinand Marcos's presidency left a lasting impact on the Philippines, shaping its political landscape and influencing generations of Filipino leaders. His life and works continue to be subjects of debate and study in Philippine history and politics.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The poor you will always have with you, but the poor you do not exploit."

This quote by Ferdinand Marcos suggests a moral responsibility towards the marginalized sections of society. While it's an acknowledged fact that poverty will persist, it is important to ensure that the poor are not further oppressed or exploited. The quote implies a call for empathy, understanding, and equitable treatment towards those who are economically disadvantaged. It emphasizes the idea that every individual, regardless of their economic status, deserves respect, dignity, and opportunities for improvement.


"We are the architects of change, we are the masters of our destiny."

This quote emphasizes personal responsibility and empowerment. It suggests that individuals have the ability to shape their own future and bring about change, implying that they are active agents in shaping their destiny. In essence, it encourages an assertive approach towards personal growth and societal development.


"Ideas are wind. Only ideas executed become reality."

This quote emphasizes the transformation of abstract thoughts or ideas into tangible realities as the true measure of their value. Ideas alone, like wind, are ephemeral and lack substance without action or execution. To make a meaningful impact, ideas must be transformed from conception to creation.


"Truth is the highest guiding principle in governing a nation."

The quote emphasizes that truth serves as the paramount guiding principle when leading or governing a nation. It suggests that honesty, transparency, and integrity should be the cornerstone of any government to ensure stability, trust, and justice for its people. In other words, good governance is built upon the foundation of truth, which fosters accountability, ethical leadership, and promotes the well-being of a nation's citizens.


"Let us be guided by justice and love for our people."

This quote by Ferdinand Marcos emphasizes that decision-making and actions should be rooted in two fundamental principles: justice and love for the people. Justice implies that decisions must be fair, equitable, and impartial while considering the rights and entitlements of all individuals involved. Love for the people suggests a deep commitment to the wellbeing, welfare, and prosperity of those being governed. By adhering to these principles, leaders can foster a society where everyone is treated fairly and their best interests are prioritized, ultimately building a stronger and more harmonious nation.


I am ashamed to run against a lady. It's demeaning, very degrading. I have always refused to argue with a lady.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Always, Ashamed, Very, Demeaning

My friends in the opposition have forgotten that the constitution of the Philippines was amended in 1973 with their participation. The constitution mandates the administration, including the Batasan, or legislature, to convert slowly into a semiparliamentary form of government. The president in such a situation can issue decrees and edicts.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Participation, Convert

America must realize, there are conditions she must accept in Asia. The first is a diversity of Asian cultures, governments, economic and political systems; the second, that to run against the tide of Asian nationalism is worse than impractical - it is also highly dangerous.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Tide, Dangerous, Against, Asian

The challenge to America is to extend to Asia the defensive shield of American power in forms consonant with Asian freedom and self-respect.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Self-Respect, Asia, Shield, Extend

We do not postpone the participation of the lower classes of our people in the profits of economic enterprise, and in other countries, they do postpone it. In the long run, I think our policy is better, and we stand by it.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Participation, Profits, Our People

Let us not be so naive as to think that revolution is just a matter of social or economic discontent.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Think, Let Us, Social, Discontent

These statements about torture, about alleged misuse of power and things like that, insulted the Filipinos more than their leader because it was made to appear as if Filipinos would tolerate a leader who would torture his own people, who would utilize his executive prerogatives for abuses.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Leader, Own, Insulted, Alleged

My countrymen: we have reached a turning point in our history. The choice is yours. Shall we venture into this brave new world, bright with possibilities, or retreat to the safety of our familiar but sterile past? I am for crossing the frontier.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Possibilities, Bright, Our, New World

For us, overseas employment addresses two major problems: unemployment and the balance of payments position.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Balance, Major, Payments, Employment

Once a champion, always a champion.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Always, Once, Champion

My life has been devoted to the upliftment of the Filipino by reestablishing his identity and dignity.

- Ferdinand Marcos

My Life, Been, Devoted, Filipino

I have been called brave in my time, but brave as I may have been against foreign invaders, I have no heart to shed Filipino blood.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Been, May, Shed, Filipino

Filipino talents and skills are becoming ubiquitous in many parts of the world. Returning Filipino workers have helped improve our skills and technological standards.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Becoming, Ubiquitous, Many, Filipino

I do not care how brave a president is; I do not care how many medals he may wear. I do not care how well trained his guards may be. If he violates the will of the people, he shall be eliminated.

- Ferdinand Marcos

May, Medals, Eliminated, Guards

Filipinos are not worse than any other colonized people except that our colonization was a little longer, and the independence movement was always dictated in political terms, never in social ones. We borrowed terms, but we didn't understand them.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Political, Other, Our, Colonization

I often wonder what I will be remembered in history for. Scholar? Military hero? Builder?

- Ferdinand Marcos

Remembered, Will, Builder, Scholar

The one indisputable reality of dictatorship is that dissent, insult, and malevolent language do not go unpunished if it is allowed at all.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Dissent, Go, Allowed, Malevolent

The primary problem in many modernizing societies is not liberty but the creation of a legitimate public order. Men may, of course, have order without liberty, but they cannot have liberty without order.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Without, May, Many, Primary

The U.S. State Department has a consistent record of error in the assessment of Asian situations and judging Red Chinese intentions.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Consistent, Asian, Error, Department

History should not be left to the historians. Rather, be like Churchill. Make history, and then write it.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Historians, Left, Rather, Churchill

To preserve our sovereign integrity, we must prove to them nobody need tell us how to hold a clean and democratic election.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Election, Need, Prove, Sovereign

So long as I'm president, communism will not thrive here.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Communism, Will, Here, Thrive

Authority has to exist before it can be limited, and it is authority that is in scarce supply in those modernizing countries where government is at the mercy of alienated intellectuals, rambunctious colonels, and rioting students.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Before, Limited, Rioting, Scarce

I would like to see whether my supposed successors can really operate the government without causing a crisis.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Crisis, Like, Really, Causing

I was deposed by a coup d'etat, by friends that I trusted and aided by the American Government.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Government, Trusted, Aided

In the Philippines, the host should always be willing to defer to the wishes of the guest.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Always, Willing, Defer, Philippines

We dare not supress thoughts, but when they are expressed through violence, like the idea that power comes from the barrel of a gun, they must be dealt with and met accordingly.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Thoughts, Through, Barrel, Expressed

We have no quarrel with a policy that seeks to support human rights.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Support, Rights, Quarrel, Human Rights

To write our constitution is for the past, the present, and the future to come together all at once in one single motion, in one single heave, one single cry. For we correct the errors of the past and chart a new course for the future, based on the experience of the present.

- Ferdinand Marcos

New, Constitution, Based, Errors

I can understand the Cultural Revolution of Mao Tse-tung.

- Ferdinand Marcos

Understand, Cultural, Mao

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