Leadership Quotes

"Prudence requires not the faith of man but the wisdom of institutions."

"Nations are not durable unless they rest on the affections of their people."

"If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary."

"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed."

"The best principle for our government is to be found in the people themselves."

"All power is originally vested in and consequently derived from the people."

"The true policy of any government is to promote the welfare of its citizens."

"The Constitution is the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man."

"We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is never found in despotism."

"A vigorous execution is the vital principle of the success of every government."

"Constitutions should consist only of general principles."

"Federalism is a great experiment in human governance."

"Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants."

"The stability of our government depends on the wisdom of Congress."

"The state of the union is strong when the union of states is strong."

"The happiness of the community is the highest object of government."

"How few of the human race have ever possessed the requisite qualifications to command."

"The institution of delegated power implies that there is a portion of virtue and honor among mankind."

"Whoever desires to found a lasting state ought to have recourse to discipline, for which rewards and punishments are the strongest means that nature has put into our hands."

"A statesman's duty is to act according to the general good of all."

"If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect."

"The greatest monarch is he that is subject to righteousness."

"An army of principles will penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot."

"The honor of a nation is its life."

"The world will always follow those who can reason better."

"The constitution is the guide which I never abandon."

"The foundation of the National policy shall be laid in the principles of private morality."

"A people unused to restraint must be led; they will not be driven."

"The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon."

"Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair."