It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts - for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free.
Address to a Joint Session of Congress, April 2, 1917, asking for a declaration of war

America lives in the heart of every man everywhere who wishes to find a region where he will be free to work out his destiny as he chooses.
Speech in Chicago, April 6, 1912

America was established not to create wealth ... but to realize a vision, to realize an idea.
Address on Lincoln's birthday in Chicago, February 12, 1912

I have long enjoyed the friendship and companionship of Republicans, because I am by instinct a teacher and I would like to teach them something.
Address at a luncheon of the Salesmanship Congress in Detroit, July 10, 1916

Sometimes people call me an idealist. Well, that is the way I know I am an American. America, my fellow citizens -- I do not say it in disparagement of any other great people -- America is the only idealistic nation in the world.
Speech in support of the League of Nations in Sioux Falls, September 8, 1919

If you think too much about being re-elected, it is very difficult to be worth re-electing.
Address on the occasion of the rededication and restoration of Congress Hall, Philadelphia, October 25, 1913

If there are men in this country big enough to own the government of the United States, they are going to own it.
From Wilson's book The New Freedom