The chief duty of government is to keep the peace and stand out of the sunshine of the people.
James A. GarfieldHistory is constantly repeating itself, making only such changes of programme as the growth of nations and centuries requires.
James A. GarfieldThe best system of education is that which draws its chief support from the voluntary effort of the community, from the individual efforts of citizens, and from those burdens of taxation which they voluntarily impose upon themselves.
James A. GarfieldOf course I deprecate war, but if it is brought to my door the bringer will find me at home.
James A. GarfieldIf there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire better than another, it is a brave man, - it is the man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.
James A. GarfieldStatistical science is indispensable to modern statesmanship. In legislation as in physical science it is beginning to be understood that we can control terrestrial forces only by obeying their laws. The legislator must formulate in his statutes not only the national will, but also those great laws of social life revealed by statistics.
James A. Garfield