11th to 5th Presidents 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.

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

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

• I can never consent to being dictated to.

• Sir, I wish to understand the true principles of the Government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more.

• To avoid the necessity of a permanent debt and its inevitable consequences, I have advocated and endeavored to carry into effect the policy of confining the appropriations for the public service to such objects only as are clearly with the constitutional authority of the Federal Government.

• I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men... in receiving from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious predecessor.

• Patience and perseverance have a magical affect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

• Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

• Where annual elections end where slavery begins.

• Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.

• The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.

• Preparation for war is a constant stimulus to suspicion and ill will.

More Patriotic Quotes by Presidents and Other Notable Americans