Calvin Coolidge Quotes

Your ability to face setbacks and disappointments without giving up will be the measure of your ability to succeed.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Ability Disappointment Givie Up Success
After order and liberty, economy is one of the highest essentials of a free government.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Government Liberty Necessary Order
To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege that was ever accorded to the human race.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Human Live Patriot Politics Priviledge Race
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Beyond Collection Doubt Reward
There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your means.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Freedom Important Independent Money Quite
Money will not purchase character or good government.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Character Goodness Government Money
We demand entire freedom of action and then expect the government in some miraculous way to save us from the consequences of our own acts. Self-government means self-reliance.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Freedom Government Result Save
Man everywhere has an unconquerable desire to be the master of his own destiny.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Desire Destiny Men
It is difficult for men in high office to avoid the malady of self-delusion. They are always surrounded by worshipers. They are constantly, and for the most part sincerely, assured of their greatness.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Difficult Greatness Men
Prosperity is only an instrument to be used, not a deity to be worshipped.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

God Money Patriot Prosperity
I want taxes to be less, that the people may have more.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Myself People Want
If the people fail to vote, a government will be developed which is not their government. The whole system of American Government rests on the ballot box. Unless citizens perform their duties there, such a system of government is doomed to failure.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Citizenship Failure Government People
They criticize me for harping on the obvious; if all the folks in the United States would do the few simple things they know they ought to do, most of our big problems would take care of themselves.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Care Problem Simplicity
The property of the people belongs to the people. To take it from them by taxation cannot be justified except by urgent public necessity. Unless this principle be recognized our country is no longer secure, our people no longer free.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Country Freedom Necessary People Principle Security
Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Character Creation Self Wealth
Silence can never be misquoted.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Silence Wrong
We want wealth, but there are many other things we want very much more. Among them are peace, honor, charity, and idealism.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Charity Honor Ideal Peace
We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the theory, first, that the people themselves are helpless, and second, that the Government has superior capacity for action. Often times both of these conclusions are wrong.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Action Government People Theory Wrong
A government which lays taxes on the people not required by urgent public necessity and sound public policy is not a protector of liberty, but an instrument of tyranny. It condemns the citizen to servitude.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Government Liberty Necessary People Protection
I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what people say when I am trying to accomplish something of consequence. Invariably they proclaim it can’t be done. I deem that the very best time to make the effort.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Accomplishment Effort Generosity People
What men owe to the love and help of good women can never be told.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Good Woman Help Men
You can display no greater wisdom than by resisting proposals for needless legislation. It is much more important to kill bad bills than to pass good ones.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Bills Goodness Important Man
The attempt to regulate, control, and prescribe all manner of conduct and social relations is very old. It was always the practice of primitive people.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Old People Practice Relation
Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Government Ideal
One of the greatest favors that can be bestowed upon the American people is economy in government.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Government Greatness People
Economy is the method by which we prepare today to afford the improvements of tomorrow.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Business Improvement Present
Doubters do not achieve; skeptics do not contribute; cynics do not create.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Achievement Doubt

Famous American politicians