John C. Calhoun Quotes

There never has yet existed a wealthy and civilized society in which one portion of the community did not, in point of fact, live on the labor of the other.

I never use the word nation in speaking of the United States. I always use the word Union or Confederacy. We are not a nation but a union, a confederacy of equal and sovereign States.

Irresponsible power is inconsistent with liberty, and must corrupt those who exercise it.

In looking back, I see nothing to regret, and little to correct.

The defence of human liberty against the aggressions of despotic power have been always the most efficient in States where domestic slavery was to prevail.

The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.

It is harder to preserve than to obtain liberty.

Government has within it a tendency to abuse its powers.

Beware the wrath of a patient adversary.

The will of a majority is the will of a rabble. Progressive democracy is incompatable with liberty.

Learn from your mistakes and build on your successes.

The surrender of life is nothing to sinking down into acknowledgment of inferiority.

True consistency, that of the prudent and the wise, is to act in conformity with circumstances, and not to act always the same way under a change of circumstances.

Property is in its nature timid and seeks protection, and nothing is more gratifying to government than to become a protector.

Protection and patriotism are reciprocal.

Democracy, as I understand it, requires me to sacrifice myself for the masses, not to them. Who knows not that if you would save the people, you must often oppose them?

We are not a nation, but a union, a confederacy of equal and sovereign states.

The object of a Constitution is to restrain the Government, as that of laws is to restrain individuals.

The error is in the assumption that the General Government is a party to the constitutional compact. The States ... formed the compact, acting as sovereign and independent communities.

A revolution in itself is not a blessing.

War may be made by one party, but it requires two to make peace.

There is often, in the affairs of government, more efficiency and wisdom in non-action than in action.

I am a planter - a cotton planter. I am a Southern man and a slaveholder - a kind and a merciful one, I trust - and none the worse for being a slaveholder.

Protection and patriotism are reciprocal. This is the way which has led nations to greatness.

True consistency that of the prudent and the wise is to act in conformity with circumstances and not to act always the same way under a change of circumstances.