I am more than ever convinced of the dangers to which the free and unbiased exercise of political opinion - the only sure foundation and safeguard of republican government - would be exposed by any further increase of the already overgrown influence of corporate authorities.

Martin Van Buren

Categorized in : Exercise Government Political Opinions

It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't.

Martin Van Buren

service-culture business jobs

The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.

Martin Van Buren

prosperity presidential government

The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought.

Martin Van Buren

sober excitement government

The atonement of Jesus Christ is the only remedy and rest for my soul.

Martin Van Buren

atonement soul jesus

Railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of fifteen miles per hour by engines which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to the crops, scaring the livestock, and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such break-neck speed.

Martin Van Buren

fire children people

There is a power in public opinion in this country - and I thank God for it: for it is the most honest and best of all powers - which will not tolerate an incompetent or unworthy man to hold in his weak or wicked hands the lives and fortunes of his fellow-citizens.

Martin Van Buren

men country hands

As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.

Martin Van Buren

presidential office two

Is it possible to be anything in this country without being a politician?

Martin Van Buren

politician politics country

No evil can result from its [slavery's] inhibition more pernicious than its toleration.

Martin Van Buren

slavery presidential evil

Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. The first is the resource of intrigue and produces only secondary results, the second is the resort of genius and transforms the universe.

Martin Van Buren

genius world firsts

I shall tread in the footsteps of my illustrious predecessor.

Martin Van Buren

predecessors footsteps example

Between Russia and the United States sentiments of good will continue to be mutually cherished.

Martin Van Buren

sentiments united-states russia

The second, sober thought of the people is seldom wrong, and always efficient.

Martin Van Buren

sober efficient people

There is but one reliance.

Martin Van Buren

reliance last-words

Most men are not scolded out of their opinion.

Martin Van Buren

scolded opinion men

I only look to the gracious protection of the Divine Being whose strengthening support I humbly solicit, and whom I fervently pray to look down upon us all. May it be among the dispensations of His Providence to bless our beloved country with honors and with length of days; may her ways beways of pleasantness, and all her paths be peace.

Martin Van Buren

support honor country

I never knew a man more free from conceit, or one to whom it was a greater extent a pleasure, as well as a recognized duty, to listen patiently to what might be said to him upon any subject under consideration....Neither, I need scarcely say, was he in the habit of talking, much less boasting, of his own achievements.

Martin Van Buren

might talking men

In time of peace there can, at all events, be no justification for the creation of a permanent debt by the Federal Government. Its limited range of constitutional duties may certainly under such circumstances be performed without such a resort.

Martin Van Buren

debt events government

We remain at peace with all nations, and no efforts on my part consistent with the preservation of our rights and the honor of the country shall be spared to maintain a position so consonant to our institutions.

Martin Van Buren

effort rights country

If laws acting upon private interests can not always be avoided, they should be confined within the narrowest limits, and left wherever possible to the legislatures of the States.

Martin Van Buren

acting limits law