Herbert Hoover: My country owes me nothing. It gave me, as it gives ev...

Competition is not only the basis of protection to the consumer, but is the incentive to progress.

Herbert Hoover

presidential competition business

When we are sick, we want an uncommon doctor; when we have a construction job to do, we want an uncommon engineer, and when we are at war, we want an uncommon general. It is only when we get into politics that we are satisfied with the common man.

Herbert Hoover

jobs men war

Peace is not made at the council table or by treaties, but in the hearts of men.

Herbert Hoover

heart men peace

While I can make no claim for having introduced the term "rugged individualism," I should be proud to have invented it. It has been used by American leaders for over a half-century in eulogy of those God-fearing men and women of honesty whose stamina and character and fearless assertion of rights led them to make their own way in life.

Herbert Hoover

honesty character men

Never worry about anything that is past. Charge it up to experience and forget the trouble. There are always plenty of troubles ahead, so don't turn and look back on any behind you.

Herbert Hoover

behind-you worry past

It [freedom] is a thing of the spirit. Men must be free to worship, to think, to hold opinions, to speak without fear. They must be free to challenge wrong and oppression with the surety of justice.

Herbert Hoover

justice men thinking

Prosperity is just around the corner.

Herbert Hoover

blackboard prosperity wealth

Please find me a one-armed economist so we will not always hear, "On the other hand..."

Herbert Hoover

economist please hands

Self-government can succeed only through an instructed electorate.

Herbert Hoover

succeed government self

If we could have but one generation of properly born, trained, educated, and healthy children, a thousand other problems of government would vanish.

Herbert Hoover

healthy government children

Every generation has the right to build its own world out of the materials of the past, cemented by the hopes of the future.

Herbert Hoover

future science past

It is well to remember that the office of Chief Executive is in part a symbol of the nation and that leaders in a nation may differ in their own house but they have instant solidarity in the presence of foreign attack

Herbert Hoover

office leader house

I am convinced that ... we have reestablished confidence. Wages should remain stable. A very large degree of industrial unemployment and suffering which would otherwise have occurred has been prevented.

Herbert Hoover

unemployment degrees suffering

Fishing is more than fish; it is the vitalizing lure to outdoor life.

Herbert Hoover

fishing sea lakes

The durability of free speech and free press rests on the simple concept that it search for the truth and tell the truth.

Herbert Hoover

presidential government simple

Freedom conceives that the mind and spirit of man can be free only if he is free to pattern his own life, to develop his own talents, free to earn, to spend, to save, to acquire property as the security of his old age and his family.

Herbert Hoover

president mind men

A boy has two jobs. One is just being a boy. The other is growing up to be a man.

Herbert Hoover

growing-up jobs children

Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.

Herbert Hoover

fishing sea lakes

We must not be misled by the claim that the source of all wisdom is in the government.

Herbert Hoover

presidential source government

Engineering is a great profession. There is the satisfaction of watching a figment of the imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper. Then it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings homes to men or women. Then it elevates the standard of living and adds to the comforts of life. This is the engineer's high privilege.

Herbert Hoover

engineering profession

My country owes me nothing. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, opportunity for service and honor.