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

All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work. Work is not a curse; it is the prerogative of intelligence, the only means to manhood, and the measure of civilization.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Work, Growth

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

The most common commodity in this country is unrealized potential.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Vision

Do the day’s work. If it be to protect the rights of the weak, whoever objects, do it. If it be to help a powerful corporation better to serve the people, whatever the opposition, do that. Expect to be called a stand-patter, but don’t be a stand-patter. Expect to be called a demagogue, but don’t be a demagogue. Don’t hesitate to be as revolutionary as science. Don’t hesitate to be as reactionary as the multiplication table. Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong. Don’t hurry to legislate. Give administration a chance to catch up with legislation.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Strength, Expectations

Advertising is the life of trade.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Advertising

Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil; our great hope lies in developing what is good.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Goodness, Progress

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

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

When a great many people are unable to find work, unemployment results.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Work

The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.
—Calvin Coolidge

Nobody ever listened himself out of a job.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Communication, Conversation

Faith is the great motive power, and no man realizes his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important and that his work well done is a part of an unending plan.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Faith

There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time.
—Calvin Coolidge

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

Perhaps one of the most important accomplishments of my administration has been minding my own business.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Presidency

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

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

Civilization and profits go hand in hand.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Profit

It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to grow.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Religion

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

Our doctrine of equality and liberty and humanity comes from our belief in the brotherhood of man, through the fatherhood of God.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Humanity

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.
—Calvin Coolidge

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

Prosperity cannot be divorced from humanity.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Prosperity

Heroism is not only in the man, but in the occasion.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Heroes/Heroism, Heroism, Heroes

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

Advertising ministers to the spiritual side of trade.
—Calvin Coolidge
Topics: Advertising

The Constitution is the sole source and guaranty of national freedom.
—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

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

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