Quotes About The American Dream

The concept of the American Dream has been around in U.S. culture since 1931. This term was first coined by James Truslow Adams during the Great Depression. It’s the idea that everyone has the opportunity to achieve success, regardless of their background. In a way, the American Dream Core is about “hope for success after hard work”. 

The American Dream encompasses elements such as owning a home, accessing quality education, financial stability, career growth, and personal freedom. But that idea is overgrown now thanks to social media. Social mobility still plays a central role in this vision. We have seen this idea play out in the American media a lot. 

Like, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the MC goes through the duality of the American Dream. Another popular book on this is Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. There are many notions, so is it just fiction or real? We gathered quotes from real-life interviews, presidents, and people to find out. All these quotes capture the essence of the American Dream. Read to see if it’s attainable or not! 

Best Quotes On The Achievability Of The American Dream

The true definition of American gets twisted a lot. According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, it means “ a happy way of living”.  In religious ways, it states the idea that “all men are created equal”. Overall, it means everyone has an inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Explore more about this idea through the under-given quotes about the American dream: 

Inspirational Quotes About The American Dream

Check out these quotes from actors, entrepreneurs, and writers who have lived the “American dream” in real life. 

• “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” ― James Truslow Adams, The Epic of America
• “And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive, and passion, it's possible to achieve the American Dream.” — Tommy Hilfiger
• “We need to give every American a chance to realize the American Dream because it is still alive and well.” — Carl Lewis
• “Every human being has a dream. I think what's special about the American Dream is that it implies, given everything that's happened in the history of America, that there is the opportunity to make your dream come true. So I think America signifies opportunity.” – Audra McDonald
• “The American dream of rags to riches is a dream for a reason – it is hard to achieve; were everyone to do it, it wouldn't be a dream but would rather be reality.” – Robert Fulton
• “To me, the American Dream is being able to follow your own personal calling. To be able to do what you want to do is incredible freedom.” – Maya Lin
• “The American dream. Those three short, simple words encompass the hopes and aspirations of all the people on earth. The words are not only short and simple. They are also fragile.” –Ross Perot
• “The American Dream is a term that is often used but also often misunderstood. It isn't really about becoming rich or famous. It is about things much simpler and more fundamental than that.” – Marco Rubio
• “Most people are looking for security, a nice, safe, prosperous future. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's called the American Dream.” – Lee Iacocca
• “I'm gonna fight, and I'm gonna make something out of nothing. That's pretty much the American dream. So, for me, the realization that I could speak to people like that came first on a small scale. Then it just started happening. I started having this vibration.” –Jay-Z
• “I was a poor kid. I came from nothing. We didn’t have any money; a lot of times we didn’t have any food, and now, all of a sudden, I’m a superhero in a Marvel movie. Talk about the American dream, man – I’m living it.” —Dave Bautista, American actor
• “I love entrepreneurship because that’s what makes this country grow, and if I can help companies grow, I am creating jobs; I am setting foundations for future generations. It sends the message that the American Dream is alive and well.”—Mark Cuban, American entrepreneur, television personality, media proprietor, and investor
• “A basic element of the American dream is equal access to education as a lubricant of social and economic mobility.”—Nicholas Kristof, journalist
• “My father worked in the Post Office. A lot of double shifts. All his friends were in the same situation – truck drivers, taxi cab drivers, grocery clerks. Blue-collar guys punching the clock and working long, hard hours. The thought that sustained them was the one at the center of the American Dream.”—Gary David Goldberg, writer
• “I think the American Dream used to be achieving one’s goals in your field of choice – and from that, all other things would follow. Now, I think the Dream has morphed into the pursuit of money: Accumulate enough of it, and the rest will follow.” —Buzz Aldrin, astronaut
• “To realize the American Dream, the most important thing to understand is that it belongs to everybody. It’s a human dream. If you understand this and work very hard, it is possible.”–Cristina Saralegui, journalist
• “There are those who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American Dream.” –Archibald MacLeish, poet.
• “America is another name for opportunity. Our whole history appears like a last effort of divine Providence on behalf of the human race.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Only in America can someone start with nothing and achieve the American Dream. That's the greatness of this country.” — Rafael Cruz
• “The American Dream means being part of a society that allows you to be or do whatever you want, and to have a sense that your individual optimism and hard work will be rewarded.  It exists outside of the U.S. as well as inside. People continue to come here because they want to improve their lives, they want to be able to support themselves and they want to live in freedom. A lot of people who criticize this country still send their children here to study.” – Madeline Albright
• “I think the American Dream used to be achieving one's goals in your field of choice–and from that all other things would follow. Now, I think the dream has morphed into the pursuit of money: Accumulate enough of it, and the rest will follow. We’ve become more materialistic. For balance, I think we need to get back to idealism and patriotism, but also be realistic with our monetary goals.” – Buzz Aldrin
• “America can't work for only some people and become a dream for all people. It has to work for everyone. And even though everyone might not end up at the same place, if everyone starts with the same beginning, then that's the dream fulfilled. We all don't have the same abilities, but we should have the same opportunities.” – Al Sharpton
• “Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: / we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• “I am the American Dream. I am the epitome of what the American Dream basically says. It said you could come from anywhere and be anything you want in this country. That's exactly what I've done.” – Whoopi Goldberg

American Dream Quotes From Presidents and US Officials

These quotes are taken from presidential speeches and interviews. Get the thoughts of US officials as well on this idea: 

• “The American Dream is a dream of a land where a man can be what he wants to be if he works hard enough.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt 
• “The American Dream belongs to all of us.”–Kamala Harris, California Attorney General
• “Our job as Americans is to restore that basic bargain that says, if you work hard,……. there are ladders of opportunity for people to do a little bit better each year and then make sure that their kids are doing even better than them, that's the American dream. That's what we got to fight for. That has to be the north star that guides everything we do.” –Barack Obama
• “America is a melting pot, and education has been a mainspring for our democracy and freedom, a means of providing gifts of knowledge and opportunity to all citizens, no matter how humble their background, so they could climb higher, help build the American dream, and leave a better life for those who follow.” –Ronald Reagan
• “The American dream is not that every man must be level with every other man. The American dream is that every man must be free to become whatever God intends he should become.” – Ronald Reagan
• “Barack knows the American Dream because he's lived it…and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we're from, or what we look like, or who we love.” –Michelle Obama
• “The American Dream means giving it your all, trying your hardest, accomplishing something. And then I'd add to that, giving something back. No definition of a successful life can do anything but include serving others.” –George Herbert Walker Bush
• “The American Dream is a term that is often used but also often misunderstood. It isn’t really about becoming rich or famous. It is about things much simpler and more fundamental than that.”—Mark Rubio, United States Senator for Florida
• “The American dream comes from opportunity. The opportunity comes from our founding principles, our core values that are held together and protected by the Constitution. Those ideas are neither Republican, Democrat, conservative, liberal, white, or black. Those are American ideologies.”—Ted Yoho, United States Representative
• “The American Dream I believe in is one that provides anyone willing to work hard enough with the opportunity to succeed.”—Tammy Duckworth, former U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and United States Senator for Illinois since 2017
• “Our workforce and our entire economy are strongest when we embrace diversity to its fullest, and that means opening doors of opportunity to everyone and recognizing that the American Dream excludes no one.” —Thomas Perez, U.S. Secretary of Labor
• “When we make college more affordable, we make the American Dream more achievable.”—William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the U.S.
• “We need a new spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together, or the American Dream will continue to wither. Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every other American.” – Bill Clinton
• “The American Dream is freedom, prosperity, peace–and liberty and justice for all. That’s a big dream. It’s not always easy to achieve, but that’s the ideal. More than any country in history we’ve made gains toward a democracy that is enviable throughout the world. Dreams require perseverance if they are to be realized, and fortunately, we’re a hard-working country and people. We are the luckiest people in history, just by the fact that we are Americans.” – Donald Trump
• “The promise of the American Dream requires that we are all provided an equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to our nation.”—Charles B. Rangel, U.S. Congress
• “In the end, the American dream is not a sprint, or even a marathon, but a relay. Our families don’t always cross the finish line in the span of one generation. But each generation passes on to the next the fruits of their labor.”—Julian Castro, U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development
• “The faith that anyone could move from rags to riches – with enough guts and gumption, hard work and nose to the grindstone – was once at the core of the American Dream.”–Robert Reich, economist and former U.S. Secretary of Labor

Quotes About The American Dream Being Unattainable

Everyone in America and out of America is taught that “America is the best and freest country in the world”. This is the reason why the American Dream “concept” is popular, but is it real or just propaganda? These quotes show the negative sides of the American dream and maybe it was all fake. 

• “It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.” – George Carlin
• “For many, the American Dream has become a nightmare.” – Bernie Sanders
• “If the American dream is for Americans only, it will remain our dream and never be our destiny”-  Rene de Visme Willamson
• “I have spent my life judging the distance between American reality and the American dream.”— Bruce Springsteen, musician
• “The American dream does not come to those who fall asleep.” –Gerald R. Ford
• “I feel that I am a citizen of the American Dream and that the revolutionary struggle of which I am a part is a struggle against the American nightmare.”–Eldridge Cleaver, writer and activist
• “The American Dream may be slipping away. We have overcome such challenges before. To recover the Dream requires knowing where it came from, how it lasted so long and why it matters so much.”–Jon Meacham, editor
• “The American Dream is a phrase we’ll have to wrestle with all our lives. It means a lot of things to different people. I think we’re redefining it now.”–Rita Dove, poet
• “We must stop talking about the American dream and start listening to the dreams of Americans.” –Max Beerbohm
• “No person can maximize the American Dream on the minimum wage.” – Benjamin Todd Jealous
• “The American Dream never really existed. It was a marketing scam.” – James Altucher
• “The American Dream is really money.” Jill Robinson
• “I see America through the eyes of the victim. I don't see any American dream–I see an American nightmare.” ― Malcolm X
• “The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream.” –Azar Nafisi
• “The American dream has now morphed into an expectation. And if it isn't provided, or if it doesn't happen, then people feel cheated.” – Rush Limbaugh
• “The American dream is, in part, responsible for a great deal of crime and violence because people feel that the country owes them not only a living but a good living.” –  David Abrahansen 
• “No one understands and appreciates the American Dream of hard work leading to material rewards better than a non-American.”― Anthony Bourdain
• “The American Dream can no more remain static than can the American nation. We can no longer take an old approach to world problems. They aren't the same problems. It isn't the same world. We must not adopt the methods of our ancestors; instead, we must emulate that pioneer quality in our ancestors that made them attempt new methods for a New World.” Eleanor Roosevelt.

Is The Idea Of The American Dream Real Or A Myth?

The American Dream remains a defining theme in both national and global discussions. Over the years, people's dreams have shifted and so has the interpretation of the American Dream. 

Some believe the dream has transformed, while others argue it was never true since the beginning. On top of that, many presidents use the concept of the “American Dream” to get more votes. 

They change meanings. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush emphasized homeownership as a cornerstone of the dream. Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign expanded this vision to include access to healthcare, education, and retirement security. Policies like Obama’s Affordable Care Act further broadened the scope. But they all work towards some “part” of this evolving dream. So let’s find out if the American dream is attainable or if it can only be attained in some parts. 

Original Idea Of The American Dream

The term “American Dream” was popularized by James Truslow Adams in The Epic of America (1931). He described it as a vision of a society where life could be “better and richer and fuller for everyone.” It was driven by equal opportunities based on ability rather than birth. Adams emphasized it wasn’t merely about material wealth but achieving a fulfilling life within a fair social order.

This sentiment aligns with the Declaration of Independence (“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”). These ideals inspired countless groups. We’re talking homesteaders seeking land in the West, immigrants pursuing freedom, and veterans yearning for stability after the war. It was a peaceful dream but where did it go wrong? Over time, interpretations evolved. some started associating the dream with material prosperity. 

The original idea of America was never about being billionaires. As Thomas Wolfe remarks, the American Dream offers “every man… the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become” what his talents and vision allow. That was the original dream! 

A New Meaning For Young Americans

The idea of the American Dream has shifted for today's youth. Instead of traditional markers like homeownership or retirement savings, younger generations are redefining what success looks like. Here's how:

• Focus on Education and Innovation: The U.S. is home to 58 of the world’s top 100 universities. So, we are seeing groundbreaking developments in AI, biotech, and other fields. This access for everyone towards their “talents” allows people to grow. Innovation from U.S. campuses keeps the country at the forefront of global industries. So, we’re on our way to fulfilling the American dream. 
• Changing Demographics Drive Growth: Unlike other nations facing population declines, the U.S. is expected to grow to 404 million by 2060. This is thanks to immigration. 
• Geography and Natural Resources Support Stability: The U.S. benefits from vast farmland, extensive inland waterways, and high crop yields. It leads the world in oil and natural gas production. So, there is a promise of energy security and affordability. These resources help maintain the dream of a stable economy.
• Prioritizing Balance Over Wealth: Many young Americans value experiences, mental health, and environmental sustainability over material possessions. Instead of just chasing financial goals, they emphasize personal well-being and meaningful lifestyles. They are fulfilling and understanding the American Dream better than boomers. The American Dream is no longer solely about financial success. For Gen Z and Millennials, it reflects a broader pursuit of purpose, balance, and innovation.

The American Dream Is Relevant Even Today!

The American Dream is not a relic but a concept that evolves with each generation. Historically, it symbolized homeownership, education, and financial stability. However, globalization, technological shifts, and growing income inequality have challenged this ideal. Today, upward mobility is often harder to achieve, with many struggling to own homes or secure stable lives.

Despite these challenges, success stories persist. Figures like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates highlight how talent and opportunity can intersect to achieve remarkable success. However, luck remains a significant factor in realizing the dream.

Anne Case and Angus Deaton’s Deaths of Despair emphasize a darker reality. It shows declining life expectancy and socioeconomic struggles. Yet, even with its flaws, the American Dream continues to inspire hope. While there are no guarantees, the possibility of achieving a better life drives individuals to strive for success.

Final Words 

To sum it up, there are many quotes showing that the American dream is alive while others don’t. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” So, it’s better to believe in the American dream and work hard until you get everything you want. Just use the American dream to become your best selves and read the quotes to manifest that dream.  

Faqs 

1. What was the original American dream quote?

The term “American Dream” was first used by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book The Epic of America. He described it as the hope for a better, richer, and fuller life for everyone.

2. What is the motto of the American dream?

The motto of the American Dream is a national ethos of the US. It reflects the belief in freedom and opportunity, where anyone can work towards achieving success and a better life. 

3. Is the concept of the American dream real? 

The American Dream remains a debated concept. A Pew Research survey found that 53% of Americans believe it is still achievable, while 41% think it was once possible but isn’t anymore. Only 6% feel it was never realistic.