National character cannot be built by law. It is the sum of the moral fiber of its individuals.

One of the primary necessities of the world for the maintenance of peace is the elimination of the frictions which arise from competitive armament.

Once the day's work starts there is little chance to walk, to ride or to take part in a game. Taking walks or rides early in the morning is a lonesome business, and the inevitable Secret Service guard when the president leaves the White House grounds is not enlivening company.

Our fathers and grandfathers who poured over the Midwest were self-reliant, rugged, God-fearing people of indomitable courage...They asked only for freedom of opportunity and equal chance. In these conceptions lies the real basis of American democracy. They and their fathers give a genius to American institutions that distinguished our people from any other in the world.

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

The budget should be balanced not by more taxes, but by reduction of follies.

The most essential factor to economic recovery today [1932] is the restoration of confidence.