James K. Polk Quotes (17 Quotes)


    No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure.

    Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.

    With me it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses.

    If a man . . . would shake and not be shaken, grip and not be gripped, taking care always to squeeze the hand of his adversary as hard as it squeezed him, then he suffered no inconvenience from it.

    One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights.


    The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.

    Though I occupy a very high position, I am the hardest-working man in this country.

    Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our government.

    It becomes us in humility to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favored.

    Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.

    There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress than I had any conception of, before I became President of the U.S.

    When I observed a strong man approaching I generally took advantage of him by being a little quicker than he was and seizing him by the tip of the fingers, giving him a hearty shake, and thus preventing him from getting a full grip upon me.

    I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant and will become a sovereign.

    Under the benignant providence of Almighty God the representatives of the States and of the people are again brought together to deliberate for the public good.

    Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.

    Although... the Chief Magistrate must almost of necessity be chosen by a party and stand pledged to its principles and measures, yet in his official action he should not be the President of a party only, but of the whole people of the United States.

    The passion for office among members of Congress is very great, if not absolutely disreputable, and greatly embarrasses the operations of the Government. They create offices by their own votes and then seek to fill them themselves.


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