I would sincerely regret, and which never shall happen whilst I am in office, a military guard around the President.

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes.

After eight years as President I have only two regrets: that I have not shot Henry Clay or hanged John C. Calhoun.

Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error.

John Calhoun, if you secede from my nation I will secede your head from the rest of your body.

I was born for a storm and a calm does not suit me.

There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses.

Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.

When you get in debt you become a slave.

But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.

All the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing, and a mere bubble, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous Judiciary.

A celibate clergy is an especially good idea, because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism.

If you do not carry out your mission, the world will lose what God created you to do

Those you know the least may need your prayers the most. Don’t let the fact that you don’t know someone keep you from praying for them.

Like everyone I slipped into adulthood like a delinquent through the back door.

Mothers should negotiate between nations. Mothers of fighting countries would agree: Stop this killing now. Stop it now.

The only consistent people are the dead

Insecurity is a toxin and confidence is a tonic, so make the choice not to dwell on the worst possible case.

When people have nothing left to lose, and they've lost everything, they lose it.

Never lose perspective on where you are and what you've got. And how you got it.

The sight of any trouble strikes terror into the heart of those who do not have faith, but those who trust Him say, ‘Here comes my food.!