Calvin Coolidge Quotes

A collection of quotes by Calvin Coolidge.

Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. He grew up in a modest farming family and developed a strong work ethic and dedication. Coolidge attended Amherst College, where he excelled academically and served as the editor of the college's newspaper.

In the early years of his career, Coolidge practiced law in Northampton, Massachusetts, and became known for his integrity and fairness. He quickly climbed the political ladder, serving as a city councilman, mayor, state senator, lieutenant governor, and eventually governor of Massachusetts in 1918.

Coolidge gained national attention when he successfully managed the response to the Boston Police Strike in 1919. His handling of the situation, which included taking a firm stance against the strikers, earned him praise and helped solidify his reputation as a leader with strong principles.

In 1920, Coolidge was elected as Vice President alongside Warren G. Harding. However, after Harding's sudden death in 1923, Coolidge assumed the presidency. As president, Coolidge advocated for fiscal responsibility, limited government intervention, and a pro-business agenda. He is famously known for his statement, "The business of America is business."

During his presidency, Coolidge oversaw a period of economic prosperity known as the "Roaring Twenties." However, his laissez-faire policies and failure to address underlying financial issues would eventually contribute to the Great Depression.

Coolidge chose not to seek re-election in 1928 and retired from politics. He spent his post-presidential years writing his memoirs and delivering speeches. Calvin Coolidge passed away on January 5, 1933, in Northampton, Massachusetts, leaving behind a legacy as a conservative Republican leader who valued limited government and free-market principles.

Advertising is the life of trade.

Advertising is the life of trade.

Calvin Coolidge

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Tale

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

Calvin Coolidge

No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to so

No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others; or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist.

Calvin Coolidge

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. It may not be difficult

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. It may not be difficult to store up in the mind a vast quantity of face within a comparatively short time, but the ability to form judgments requires the severe discipline of hard work and the tempering heat of experience and maturity.

Calvin Coolidge

Nothing in the World can take the place of persistence. Tale

Nothing in the World can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. The slogan press on has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge

Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means lookin

Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.

Calvin Coolidge

The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is a

The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.

Calvin Coolidge

When large numbers of men are unable to find work, unemploym

When large numbers of men are unable to find work, unemployment results.

Calvin Coolidge

Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legali

Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery.

Calvin Coolidge

I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any har

I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm.

Calvin Coolidge

I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save mo

I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the Government. Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager. Every dollar that we prudently save means that their life will be so much the more abundant. Economy is idealism in its most practical form.

Calvin Coolidge

If there has been any crime, it must be prosecuted. If there

If there has been any crime, it must be prosecuted. If there has been any property of the United States illegally transferred or leased, it must be recovered. I propose to employ special counsel of high rank drawn from both political parties to bring such actions for the enforcement of the law. Counsel will be instructed to prosecute these cases in the courts so that if there is any guilt it will be punished; if there is any civil liability it will be enforced; if there is any fraud it will be revealed; and if there are any contracts which are illegal they will be canceled. Every law will be enforced. And every right of the people and the Government will be protected.

Calvin Coolidge

The appropriation of public money always is perfectly lovely

The appropriation of public money always is perfectly lovely until some one is asked to pay the bill. If we are to have a billion dollars of navy, half a billion of farm relief, etc. the people will have to furnish more revenue by paying more taxes. It is for them, through their Congress, to decide how far they wish to go.

Calvin Coolidge

Do the days work. If it be to protect the rights of the weak

Do the days work. If it be to protect the rights of the weak, whoever objects, do it. If it be to help a powerful corporation better to serve the people, whatever the opposition, do that. Expect to be called a stand-patter, but dont be a stand-patter. Expect to be called a demagogue, but dont be a demagogue. Dont hesitate to be as revolutionary as science. Dont hesitate to be as reactionary as the multiplication table. Dont expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong. Dont hurry to legislate. Give administration a chance to catch up with legislation.

Calvin Coolidge

Parties do not maintain themselves. They are maintained by e

Parties do not maintain themselves. They are maintained by effort. The government is not self-existent. It is maintained by the effort of those who believe in it. The people of America believe in American institutions, the American form of government and the American method of transacting business.

Calvin Coolidge

It is necessary to have party organization if we are to have

It is necessary to have party organization if we are to have effective and efficient government. The only difference between a mob and a trained army is organization, and the only difference between a disorganized country and one that has the advantage of a wise and sound government is fundamentally a question of organization.

Calvin Coolidge

After all, the chief business of the American people is busi

After all, the chief business of the American people is business.

Calvin Coolidge

When people are bewildered they tend to become credulous.

When people are bewildered they tend to become credulous.

Calvin Coolidge

I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what

I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what people say when I am trying to accomplish something of consequence. Invariably they proclaim it can't be done. I deem that the very best time to make the effort.

Calvin Coolidge

The two great political parties of the nation have existed f

The two great political parties of the nation have existed for the purpose, each in accordance with its own principles, of undertaking to serve the interests of the whole nation. Their members of the Congress are chosen with that great end in view.

Calvin Coolidge