The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that would operate with perfect equality.

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.

she is nearing forty and not so easily forgiven as when her skin bloomed like roses.

Fiction described reality better than non-fiction.

Even here in Michigan my mom had found a way to climb before she even knew it was a sport. Before she'd ever seen a mountain.

At the same time, we're going to take care of our military and we're going to take care of our great, great, great veterans.

Be wise; soar not too high to fall; but stoop to rise.

Give credit to whom credit due.

I don't like to do too much psychological research because it might turn a character into a patchwork.

Along with issues like global warming, I think a problem with the world today is population decline.

I do not seek unpopularity as a badge of honour, but sometimes it is the price of leadership and the cost of conviction.