Henry Clay Quotes

33 Sourced Quotes

[Andrew Jackson] is ignorant, passionate, hypocritical, corrupt, and easily swayed by the basest men who surround him.

Henry Clay
The arts of power and its minions are the same in all countries and in all ages. It marks its victim; denounces it; and excites the public odium and the public hatred, to conceal its own abuses and encroachments.

Henry Clay
All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty. All, separated from government, are compatible with liberty.

Henry Clay
We have had good and bad Presidents, and it is a consoling reflection that the American Nation possesses such elements of prosperity that the bad Presidents cannot destroy it, and have been able to do no more than slightly to retard the public's advancement.

Henry Clay
How often are we forced to charge fortune with partiality towards the unjust!

Henry Clay
Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people.

Henry Clay
I am not, sir, in favor of cherishing the passion of conquest. I am permitted … to indulge the hope of seeing, ere long, the new United States, (if you will allow me the expression,) embracing not only the old ….

Henry Clay
Alexander Smyth: You, sir, speak for the present generation, but I speak for posterity.
Henry Clay: Yes, and you seem resolved to speak until the arrival of your audience.

Henry Clay