Planter Quotes

The truth of the matter is one knows what it's like being the president. Not I, nor any president to come hence. This is because life, thankfully, offers deeper quandaries. While in office, I would often wake up in a daze, wondering how I could wiggle my toes without even thinking it so, or why hair grows only on certain places and not our entire bodies, or why we aren't completely bald, or why we must close our eyes and sleep every night, or any of the millions of particulars of daily existence, let alone that I was elected the leader of an entire nation.

Impressed with a conviction that the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good Government, I have considered the first arrangement of the Judicial department as essential to the happiness of our Country, and to the stability of its political system.

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.

I am principled against this kind of traffic in the human species . . . and to disperse the families I have an aversion.

I have always given it as my decided opinion that no nation had a right to intermeddle in the internal concerns of another; that every one had a right to form and adopt whatever government they liked best to live under themselves.

I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office.

They will avoid ... those Overgrown Military establishements which ... are ... particularly hostile to Republican liberty.

To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country.

Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not when others stop.

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.

I cannot conceive a rank more honorable, than that which flows from the uncorrupted choice of a brave and free people, the purest source and original fountain of all power.

If ever again our nation stumbles upon unfunded paper, it shall surely be like death to our body politic. This country will crash.

The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.

The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.

If you can't send money, send tobacco.

Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

Character enough of an opposite description ... My opinion is ... that you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this Country.

[Let] the poor the needy and oppressed of the Earth, and those who want Land, resort to the fertile lands of our western country, the second land of Promise, and there dwell in peace, fulfilling the first and great commandment.

What was done with the seed saved from the India Hemp last summer? It ought, all of it, to have been sewn again; that not only a stock of seed sufficient for my own purposes might have been raised, but to have disseminated the seed to others; as it is more valuable than the common Hemp.

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

Three things prompt men to a regular discharge of their duty in time of action: natural bravery, hope of reward, and fear of punishment.

Be not forward, but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, hear and answer; and be not pensive when it is time to converse.

Avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, we should remember also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it

Like a young heir, come a little prematurely to a large inheritance, we shall wanton and run riot until we have brought our reputation to the brink of ruin, and then, like him, shall have to labor with the current of opinion, when COMPELLED perhaps, to do what prudence and common policy pointed out, as plain as any problem in Euclid, in the first instance.

At a distance from the theatre of action, truth is not always related without embellishment, and sometimes is entirely perverted, from a misconception of the causes which produce the effects that are the subjects of censure.

Nothing is more essential, than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular Nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated.

It is in vain, I perceive, to look for ease and happiness in a world of troubles.

I never say anything of a man that I have the smallest scruple of saying to him.

Discipline is the soul of an army.

Purity of morals [is] the only sure foundation of public happiness in any country.

I can never think of promoting my convenience at the expense of a friend's interest and inclination.

Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.

True friendship is a plant of slow growth.

There is a rank due to the United States among nations which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness.

'Tis folly in one Nation to look for disinterested favors from another; that it must pay with a portion of its Independence for whatever it may accept under that character; that by such acceptance, it may place itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favours and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate upon real favours from Nation to Nation. 'Tis an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.

From thinking proceeds speaking; thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous!

For it is fixed principle with me, that whatever is done should be done well.

We had quitters during the Revolution too...we called them 'Kentuckians.'

Merit rarely goes unrewarded.

The value of liberty was thus enhanced in our estimation by the difficulty of its attainment, and the worth of characters appreciated by the trial of adversity.

Do not conceive that fine Clothes make fine Men, any more than fine feathers make fine Birds. A plain genteel dress is more admired and obtains more credit than lace and embroidery in the Eyes of the judicious and sensible.

Always speak the truth.

A variety in punishment is of utility, as well as a proportion.

War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.

There was not a member of the Constitutional Convention who had the least objection to what is contended for by the advocates for a Bill of Rights and trial by jury.

I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.

Unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties

Love is said to be an involuntary passion, and it is, therefore, contended that it cannot be resisted. This is true in part only, for like all things else, when nourished and supplied plentifully with ailment, it is rapid in its progress; but let these be withdrawn and it may be stifled in its birth or much stinted in its growth.

If to be venerated for benevolence, if to be admired for talents, if to be esteemed for patriotism, if to be beloved for philanthropy, can gratify the human mind, you must have the pleasing consolation to know that you have not lived in vain. And I flatter myself that it will not be ranked among the least grateful occurrences of your life to be assured that, so long as I retain my memory, you will be thought on with respect, veneration, and affection by your sincere friend.

We can not guarantee success, we can strive to deserve it.

The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.

It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it.

Bad seed is a robbery of the worst kind: for your pocket-book not only suffers by it, but your preparations are lost and a season passes away unimproved.

I die hard but am not afraid to go.

Influence is not government.

Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?

It gives me real concern to observe ... that you should think it necessary to distinguish between my personal and public character, and confine your esteem to the former.

If we cannot learn wisdom from experience, it is hard to say where it is to be found.

It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing.