Martin Van Buren Quotes

Quotes about:

Country Opinions

It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't.

Martin Van Buren

Jobs, Business, Service Culture

133 Copy quote
The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.

Martin Van Buren

Government, Presidential, Prosperity

Martin Van Buren (1969). “Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862: chronology-documents-bibliographical aids”

83 Copy quote
The atonement of Jesus Christ is the only remedy and rest for my soul.

Martin Van Buren

Jesus, Soul, Atonement

87 Copy quote
The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought.

Martin Van Buren

Government, Excitement, Sober

89 Copy quote
There is a power in public opinion in this country - and I thank God for it: for it is the most honest and best of all powers - which will not tolerate an incompetent or unworthy man to hold in his weak or wicked hands the lives and fortunes of his fellow-citizens.

Martin Van Buren

Country, Men, Hands

"The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents". Book by William A. DeGregorio (p. 133), 1984.

62 Copy quote
Railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of fifteen miles per hour by engines which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to the crops, scaring the livestock, and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such break-neck speed.

Martin Van Buren

Children, Fire, People

65 Copy quote
As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.

Martin Van Buren

Two, Office, Presidential

58 Copy quote
Most men are not scolded out of their opinion.

Martin Van Buren

Men, Opinion, Scolded

34 Copy quote
Is it possible to be anything in this country without being a politician?

Martin Van Buren

Country, Politics, Politician

35 Copy quote
I am more than ever convinced of the dangers to which the free and unbiased exercise of political opinion - the only sure foundation and safeguard of republican government - would be exposed by any further increase of the already overgrown influence of corporate authorities.

Martin Van Buren

Exercise, Political Opinions, Government

Martin Van Buren (1969). “Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862: chronology-documents-bibliographical aids”

68 Copy quote
No evil can result from its [slavery's] inhibition more pernicious than its toleration.

Martin Van Buren

Evil, Presidential, Slavery

48 Copy quote
I shall tread in the footsteps of my illustrious predecessor.

Martin Van Buren

Example, Predecessors, Footsteps

34 Copy quote
Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. The first is the resource of intrigue and produces only secondary results, the second is the resort of genius and transforms the universe.

Martin Van Buren

Genius, World, Firsts

28 Copy quote
In time of peace there can, at all events, be no justification for the creation of a permanent debt by the Federal Government. Its limited range of constitutional duties may certainly under such circumstances be performed without such a resort.

Martin Van Buren

Government, Events, Debt

Martin Van Buren (2009). “Messages and Papers of the Presidents: Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk”, p.1825, Wildside Press LLC

25 Copy quote
There is but one reliance.

Martin Van Buren

Last Words, Reliance

25 Copy quote
The second, sober thought of the people is seldom wrong, and always efficient.

Martin Van Buren

People, Sober, Efficient

21 Copy quote
Between Russia and the United States sentiments of good will continue to be mutually cherished.

Martin Van Buren

Russia, United States, Sentiments

Martin Van Buren (2018). “State of the Union Addresses of Martin van Buren”, p.4, BoD – Books on Demand

28 Copy quote
I only look to the gracious protection of the Divine Being whose strengthening support I humbly solicit, and whom I fervently pray to look down upon us all. May it be among the dispensations of His Providence to bless our beloved country with honors and with length of days; may her ways beways of pleasantness, and all her paths be peace.

Martin Van Buren

Country, Support, Honor

Martin Van Buren (1969). “Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862: chronology-documents-bibliographical aids”

26 Copy quote
I never knew a man more free from conceit, or one to whom it was a greater extent a pleasure, as well as a recognized duty, to listen patiently to what might be said to him upon any subject under consideration....Neither, I need scarcely say, was he in the habit of talking, much less boasting, of his own achievements.

Martin Van Buren

Men, Talking, Might

27 Copy quote
If laws acting upon private interests can not always be avoided, they should be confined within the narrowest limits, and left wherever possible to the legislatures of the States.

Martin Van Buren

Law, Acting, Limits

United States. President (1837-1841 : Van Buren), Martin Van Buren (1838). “Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress: At the Commencement of the Third Session of the Twenty-fifth Congress”, p.13

21 Copy quote
It affords me sincere pleasure to be able to apprise you of the entire removal of the Cherokee Nation of Indians to their new homes west of the Mississippi.

Martin Van Buren

Home, Able, West

Martin Van Buren (1969). “Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862: chronology-documents-bibliographical aids”

24 Copy quote
I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men, whose superiors it is our happiness to believe are not found on the executive calendar of any country.

Martin Van Buren

Country, Believe, Men

Martin Van Buren (1969). “Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862: chronology-documents-bibliographical aids”

10 Copy quote
The national will is the supreme law of the Republic, and on all subjects within the limits of his constitutional powers should be faithfully obeyed by the public servant.

Martin Van Buren

Law, President, Republic

Martin Van Buren (1969). “Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862: chronology-documents-bibliographical aids”

8 Copy quote
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.

Martin Van Buren

Patriotic, Government, Debt

Martin Van Buren (2009). “Messages and Papers of the Presidents: Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk”, p.1829, Wildside Press LLC

18 Copy quote
In a government whose distinguishing characteristic should be a diffusion and equalization of its benefits and burdens the advantage of individuals will be augmented at the expense of the community at large.

Martin Van Buren

Government, Community, Benefits

United States. President (1837-1841 : Van Buren), Martin Van Buren (1838). “Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress: At the Commencement of the Third Session of the Twenty-fifth Congress”, p.12

24 Copy quote

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Born: December 5, 1782
Died: July 24, 1862
Occupation: 8th U.S. President
Cite this Page: Citation

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