As 2018 draws to a close, we’ve put together the year’s best quotes—sayings that, for better or for worse, depicted what kind of year 2018 has been. Some are from world leaders, others are from ordinary folks such as you and me. Some are said ironically, others in admiration, others in sorrow.
- “Congratulations, sir! This dignified, statesman-like tweet is the perfect way to counter the book’s narrative that you’re an impulsive, childish dimwit.” Tweet from Mark Hamill to Donald Trump January 5. This tweet came with the ongoing fallout following the publication of Michael Wolff’s explosive book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.
2. “Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart.” Tweet from Donald Trump on January 6
3. “It is a post-truth era as every bit of mainstream news is questioned,” Owen Worth, lecturer, explaining the rise of populism
4. “This is history. I love Malaysia.” Malaysian voter on the evening of the May 9, when it was becoming obvious that Dr. Tun Mahathir Mohammad would make a comeback as Prime Minister.
5. “We didn’t know where to run to and we couldn’t run anyway because the land kept shaking.” Viola, age 10, on the earthquake in Sulawesi on September 28, which caused at least 2100 deaths, with 1000 more missing.
6. “Madame Macron,” an elderly woman, shaking hands with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, mistaking her for the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, during a ceremony that honored the 1918 armistice of World War I as well as the French-German reconciliation.
7. “Be good people, be a force for good for your country.” Head of Thai navy seals Rear Admiral Apakorn Yuukongkaew, to the boys from the soccer team rescued from the Tham Luang cave complex
8. ”Me too was just two words; it’s two magic words that galvanized the world,” Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement
9. “Forever in our hearts.” Leicester City’s tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, owner of the city’s Premier League football club, who died in a helicopter accident that took four other lives on October 27.
10. “Does America really need to be the best at everything? You already dominate the world in economics, military power, and obesity.” Trevor Noah, South African-born comedian