Jimmy Carter "taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service" former President Barack Obama wrote in a statement following Carter's death.
Obama pointed out that Carter said in his Nobel acceptance speech that "God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace."
Obama emphasized that Carter "made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it."
He continued that "Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did – advocating for the public good, consequences be damned. He believed some things were more important than reelection — things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image."