Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Calvin Coolidge (American Head of State)

Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933,) fully John Calvin Coolidge, was an American Republican statesman who served as the 13th U.S. president 1923–29. His administration is remembered mainly for establishing minimal government interference in business and commerce, summarized by his expression, “the business of America is business.” Although he presided over a decade of unparalleled growth, his term has become emblematic of the self-satisfied conservatism that helped precipitate the Great Depression.

Born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Coolidge first practiced law in Northampton, Massachusetts. He entered state politics as a Republican, was mayor of Northampton (1910–11,) state senator (1912–15,) state lieutenant governor (1919–21,) and governor (1919–20.) He gained national celebrity through a tough stand against a Boston police strike in 1919.

Elected vice president with Warren G. Harding, he succeeded to the presidency after Harding’s death (1923) and easily won a full term in 1924. Pro-business policies marked Coolidge’s administration. He committed to reducing income taxes and the national debt and was noted for his guiding principle of non-interference in foreign affairs, which culminated in the signing of the multilateral Kellogg-Briand Treaty of 1928. His policies encouraged the reckless stock market speculation of the late 1920s.

Coolidge announced his decision not to stand for re-election in 1928 with a terse announcement that has since become a catchphrase: “I do not choose to run.” He spent the later years of his life writing his Autobiography (1929) and contributing articles to newspapers and magazines.

Coolidge destroyed most of his private papers and remains enigmatic in essential ways. Although highly popular, he is known as a reserved and distant man.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Calvin Coolidge

The business of America is business and the chief ideal of the American people is idealism.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: America, Business

Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Taxes

Nothing is easier than spending the public money. It does not appear to belong to anybody. The temptation is overwhelming to bestow it on somebody.
—Calvin Coolidge

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
Topics: Criticism

When people are bewildered they tend to become credulous.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Belief

After order and liberty, economy is one of the highest essentials of a free government…. Economy is always a guarantee of peace.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Economy

If we judge ourselves only by our aspirations and everyone else only by their conduct, we shall soon reach a very false conclusion.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Criticism

It takes a great man to be a good listener.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Listening

If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you and you have to battle with only one of them.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Trials, Justice, Worry, Trouble

Economy is the method by which we prepare today to afford the improvements of tomorrow.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Economy

Changing a college curriculum is like moving a graveyard—you never know how many friends the dead have until you try to move them!
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Education

We do not need more of the things that are seen, we need more of the things that are unseen.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Prophecy, Vision

Governments are necessarily continuing concerns. They have to keep going in good times and in bad. They therefore need a wide margin of safety. If taxes and debt are made all the people can bear when times are good, there will be certain disaster when times are bad.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Government

Under our institutions the only way to perfect the Government is to perfect the individual citizen. It is necessary to reach the mind and soul of the individual. I know of no way that this can be done save through the influence of religion and education. By religion I do not mean fanaticism or bigotry; by education I do not mean the cant of the schools, but a broad and tolerant faith, loving thy neighbor as thyself, and a training and experience that enables the human mind to see into the heart of things.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Religion

Education will not (take the place of persistence); the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Determination

One with the law is a majority.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Law

Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Patriotism

Our Government is a government by political parties under the guiding influence of public opinion. There does not seem to be any other method by which a republic can function.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Politics

Ultimately property rights and personal rights are the same thing.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Property

Men speak of natural rights, but I challenge any one to show where in nature any rights existed or were recognized until there was established for their declaration and protection a duly promulgated body of corresponding laws.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Government, Rightness, Right

The strength of a country is the strength of its religious convictions.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Religion

Duty is not collective; it is personal.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Duty

Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Thrift

Parties do not maintain themselves. They are maintained by effort. The government is not self-existent. It is maintained by the effort of those who believe in it. The people of America believe in American institutions, the American form of government and the American method of transacting business.
—Calvin Coolidge

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Christmas

There is no force so democratic as the force of an ideal.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Idealism, Ideals

Those who trust to chance must abide by the results of chance. They have no legitimate complaint against anyone but themselves.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Chance, Luck, Fortune, Risk

It is necessary to have party organization if we are to have effective and efficient government. The only difference between a mob and a trained army is organization, and the only difference between a disorganized country and one that has the advantage of a wise and sound government is fundamentally a question of organization.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Organization

I sometimes wish that people would put a little more emphasis on the observance of the law than they do upon its enforcement.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Lawyers, Law

There is no dignity quite so impressive and no independence quite so important as living within your means.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Money

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