"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."
Quote collection
Calvin Coolidge quotes (page 5 of 17)
331 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character."
"Surprisingly few men are lacking in capacity, but they fail because... they are too indolent to apply themselves with the seriousness and the attention that is necessary to solve important problems."
"The words of the President have an enormous weight and ought not to be used indiscriminately."
"In a republic the first rule for the guidance of the citizen is obedience of the law."
"We demand entire freedom of action and then expect the government in some miraculous way to save us from the consequences of our own acts.... Self-government means self-reliance."
"Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil. Our great hope lies in developing what is good."
"After all, the chief business of the American people is business. They are profoundly concerned with producing, buying, selling, investing and prospering in the world."
"I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who have almost beggared themselves to serve others. If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the union and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont."
"Coincident with the right of individual property under the provisions of our Government is the right of individual property. . . . When once the right of the individual to liberty and equality is admitted, there is no escape from the conclusion that he alone is entitled to the rewards of his own industry. Any other conclusion would necessarily imply either privilege or servitude."
"This country would not be a land of opportunity, America could not be America, if the people were shackled with government monopolies."
"Life is one darn thing after another."
"We want wealth, but there are many other things we want very much more. Among them are peace, honor, charity, and idealism."
"I have never been hurt by what I have not said."
"Changing a college curriculum is like moving a graveyard-you never know how many friends the dead have until you try to move them!"
"Freedom is not only bought with a great price; it is maintained by unremitting effort."
"There is no surer road to destruction than prosperity without character."
"Never go out to meet trouble. If you just sit still, nine cases out of ten, someone will intercept it before it reaches you."
"If we expect others to rely on our fairness and justice we must show that we rely on their fairness and justice."
"Silence can never be misquoted."