18th-century President Quotes

George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

John Adams

James Madison

Andrew Jackson

John Quincy Adams

Zachary Taylor

I believe from what I have lately seen that we should be substantially safe were our Citizens Armed, but we have not as many Arms as we have Enemies in the State.

Thomas Jefferson

In general I esteem it a good maxim, that the best way to preserve the confidence of the people durably is to promote their true interest

George Washington

The American people are too well schooled in the duty and practice of submitting to the will of the majority to permit any serious uneasiness on that account

Swim or sink, live or die, survive or perish with my country was my unalterable determination.

I am one of those who do not believe that a national debt is a national blessing, but rather a curse to a republic; inasmuch as it is calculated to raise around the administration a moneyed aristocracy dangerous to the liberties of the country.

All the lessons of history and experience must be lost upon us if we are content to trust alone to the peculiar advantages we happen to possess. Look, being a lame flunky for a batshit crazy person isn't all that bad. Stay alive long enough and you may sneak your way to Washington!

Martin Van Buren

My stern chase after time is, to borrow a simile from Tom Paine, like the race of a man with a wooden leg after a horse.

John Quincy Adams

The institutions under which we live, my countrymen, secure each person in the perfect enjoyment of all his rights.

The crime of ingratitude has not yet stained, and I trust never will stain, our national character. You are considered by them as not only having rendered important service in our own revolution, but as being, on a more extended scale, the friend of human rights, and able advocate of public liberty. To the welfare of Thomas Paine, the Americas are not, nor can they be, indifferent.

I shall pursue a straight forward course deviating neither to the right or left so that comes what may I hope my real friends will never have to blush for me, so far as truth, honesty & fair dealings are concerned.

The liberties of a people depend on their own constant attention to its preservation.

William Henry Harrison

Compañeros, this old man is my father. He has come to offer me rewards in the name of the Spaniards. I have always respected my father but my country comes first.

Vicente Guerrero

Nothing short of absolute independence in both government and commerce will satisfy us. This we shall have or cease to live.

Henri Christophe