Herbert Hoover Quotes

The party should stand for a constantly wider diffusion of property. That is the greatest social and economic security that can come to free men. It makes free men. We want a nation of proprietors, not a state of collectivists. That is attained by creating a national wealth and income, not by destroying it. The income and estate taxes create an orderly movement to diffuse swollen fortunes more effectively than all the quacks.

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.

The greatness of America has grown out of a political and social system and a method of control of economic forces distinctly its own - our American system.

I protest that we fans are being emotionally starved and frustrated by long periods of perfect performance of these batteries. More over, when there are nothing but strikes and balls going on, you relapse into your worries over the Bank of England, or something else.

There is no more cruel illusion than that war makes a people richer.

Sportsmanship, next to the Church, is the greatest teacher of morals.

It is always possible that occasional individuals may have overstepped the law and humanity in treatment of criminals and those charged with crime, and if so, they should be severely punished.

Children are the most wholesome part of the race, the sweetest, for they are the freshest from the hand of god.

It is just as important that business keep out of government as that government keep out of business.

A good many things go around in the dark besides Santa Claus.

American life is builded ... upon that fundamental philosophy announced by the Savior nineteen centuries ago ... [It] can not survive with the defense of Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?

We are in danger of developing a cult of the Common Man, which means a cult of mediocrity.

Even if security from the cradle to the grave could eliminate [all] the risks of life, it would [still] be a dead hand on the creative spirit of the American people.

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

The outlook of the world today is for the greatest era of commercial expansion in history. The rest of the world will become better customers.

Many years ago, I concluded that a few hair shirts were part of the mental wardrobe of every man. The president differs from other men in that he has a more extensive wardrobe.

In the great mass of our people there are plenty individuals of intelligence from among whom leadership can be recruited.

Doctors think a lot of patients are cured who have simply quit in disgust.

The supreme purpose of history is a better world.

I come of Quaker stock. My ancestors were persecuted for their beliefs. Here they sought and found religious freedom. By blood and conviction I stand for religious tolerance both in act and in spirit.

To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort, and hope.

A splendid storehouse of integrity and freedom has been bequeathed to us by our forefathers. In this day of confusion, of peril to liberty, our high duty is to see that this storehouse is not robbed of its contents.

Once upon a time my political opponents honored me as possessing the fabulous intellectual and economic power by which I created a worldwide depression all by myself.

I, with other Americans, have perhaps unduly resented the stream of criticism of American life... more particularly have I resented the sneers at Main Street. For I have known that in the cottages that lay behind the street rested the strength of our national character.

Gentleman, you have come sixty days too late. The depression is over.

The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing.

Wisdom often consists of knowing what to do next.