I believe not only that religious faith will be victorious, but that it is vital to humankind that it shall be. We may differ in form and particulars in our religious faith. Those are matters that are sacred to each of our inner sanctuaries. It is our privilege to decline to argue them. Their real demonstration is the lives that we live.
Herbert HooverThe future of nations cannot be frozen . . . cannot be foreseen. If we are going to accomplish anything in our time we must approach our problem in the knowledge that there is nothing rigid or immutable in human affairs. History is a story of growth, decay and change. If no provision, no allowance is made for change by peaceful means, it will come anyway - and with violence.
Herbert HooverFishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.
Herbert HooverI dare predict that the influence of the Treaty of Renunciation of War will be felt in a large proportion of all future international acts.
Herbert HooverAny practice of business which would dominate the country by its own selfish interest is a destruction of equality of opportunity. Government in business, except in emergency, is also a destruction of equal opportunity and the incarnation of tyranny through bureaucracy.
Herbert HooverEngineering 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 HooverEconomic depression can not be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement.
Herbert HooverThere is no other book so various as the Bible, nor one so full of concentrated wisdom. Whether it be of law, business, morals...he who seeks for guidance...may look inside its covers and find illumination...
Herbert HooverThe whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.
Herbert HooverWhile the crash only took place six months ago, I am convinced we have passed the worst and with continued unity of effort we shall rapidly recover.
Herbert HooverLots of people committed crimes during the year who would not have done so if they had been fishing. The increase of crime is among those deprived of the regenerations that impregnate the mind and character of the fisherman.
Herbert HooverSomebody has inquired as to whether I will be going to the opening baseball game. I hope to have that pleasure.
Herbert HooverEvery collectivist revolution rides in on a Trojan horse of "emergency". It was the tactic of Lenin, Hitler, and Mussolini. In the collectivist sweep over a dozen minor countries of Europe, it was the cry of men striving to get on horseback. And "emergency" became the justification of the subsequent steps. This technique of creating emergency is the greatest achievement that demagoguery attains.
Herbert HooverThe basis of successful relief in national distress is to mobilize and organize the infinite number of agencies of self help in the community. That has been the American way.
Herbert HooverIf we could have but one generation of properly born, trained, educated, and healthy children, a thousand other problems of government would vanish.
Herbert HooverNo great question will ever be settled in dollars and cents. Great questions must be settled on moral grounds and the tests of what makes free men.
Herbert HooverThe structure of human betterment cannot be built upon foundations of materialism or business, but upon the bedrock of individual character in free men and women.
Herbert HooverWhat the world needs today is a definite, spiritual mobilization of the nations who believe in God against this tide of Red agnosticism. It needs a moral mobilization against the hideous ideas of the police state and human slavery. I suggest that the United Nations should be reorganized without the Communist nations in it. It is a proposal based solely upon moral, spiritual and defense foundations. It is a proposal to redeem the concept of the United Nations to the high purpose for which it was created. It is a proposal for moral and spiritual cooperation of God-fearing free nations. And in rejecting an atheistic other world, I am confident that the Almighty God will be with us.
Herbert HooverPresidents cannot always kick evil-minded persons out of the front door. Such persons are often selected by the electors to represent them.
Herbert HooverThe recognition of Russia on November 16, 1933, started forces which were to have considerable influence in the attempt to collectivize the United States.
Herbert HooverThe priceless treasure of boyhood is his endless enthusiasm, his high store of idealism, his affections and his hopes. When we preserve these, we have made men. We have made citizens and we have made Americans.
Herbert HooverMan is still by instinct a predatory animal given to devilish aggression. The discoveries of science have immensely increased productivity of material things. They have increased the standards of living and comfort. They have eliminated infinite drudgery. They have increased leisure. But that gives more time for devilment. The work of science has eliminated much disease and suffering. It has increased the length of life. That, together with increase in productivity, has resulted in vastly increased populations. Also it increased the number of people engaged in devilment.
Herbert HooverWe are indebted to the Book of books (Bible) for our national ideals and institution. Their preservation rests in adhering to it's precepts.
Herbert HooverUnless the U.N. is completely reorganized without the Communist nations in it, we should get out of it.
Herbert HooverWe must not be misled by the claim that the source of all wisdom is in the government.
Herbert HooverGovernments know that the life of the world cannot be saved if the soul of the world is allowed to be lost.
Herbert HooverWhen 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 HooverIt is a paradox that every dictator has climbed to power on the ladder of free speech. Immediately on attaining power each dictator has suppressed all free speech except his own.
Herbert HooverProsperity is no idle expression. It is a job for every worker; it is the safety and safeguard of very business and every home. A continuation of the policies of the Republican party is fundamentally necessary to the future advancement of this progress and to the further building up of this prosperity.
Herbert HooverWe are now speeding down the road of wasteful spending and debt, and unless we can escape we will be smashed in inflation.
Herbert HooverIt is those moral and spiritual qualities which rise alone in free men, which will fulfill the meaning of the word American. And with them will come centuries of further greatness to our country.
Herbert HooverI pride myself on being one of the oldest fans. I can certainly count up about seventy years of devotion.
Herbert HooverThe Union has become not merely a physical union of states, but rather a spiritual union in common ideals of our people. Within it is room for every variety of opinion, every possible experiment in social progress. Out of such variety comes growth, but only if we preserve and maintain our spiritual solidarity.
Herbert HooverThree qualities of greatness stood out in Woodrow Wilson. He was a man of staunch morals. He was more than just an idealist; he was the personification of the heritage of idealism of the American people. He brought spiritual concepts to the peace table. He was a born crusader.
Herbert HooverTruly every generation discovers the world all new again and knows it can improve it.
Herbert HooverWith impressive proof on all sides of magnificent progress, no one can rightly deny the fundamental correctness of our economic system.
Herbert HooverOne of the primary necessities of the world for the maintenance of peace is the elimination of the frictions which arise from competitive armament.
Herbert HooverEvery generation has the right to build its own world out of the materials of the past, cemented by the hopes of the future.
Herbert HooverTo go fishing is the chance to wash one's soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not have to decide a darned thing until next week. And it is discipline in the equality of men - for all men are equal before fish.
Herbert Hoover