Henry Clay Quotes & Sayings

We have had good and bad Presidents, and it is a consoling reflection that the American Nation possesses such elements of prosperity that the bad Presidents cannot destroy it, and have been able to do no more than slightly to retard the public's advancement. — Henry Clay

I am not, sir, in favor of cherishing the passion of conquest. I am permitted ... to indulge the hope of seeing, ere long, the new United States, (if you will allow me the expression,) embracing not only the old ... — Henry Clay

I had rather be right than be President. — Henry Clay

Their disappearance from the human family would be no great loss to the world. — Henry Clay

Precedents deliberately established by wise men are entitled to great weight. They are evidence of truth, but only evidence ... But a solitary precedent ... which has never been reexamined, cannot be conclusive. — Henry Clay

The imposition of taxes has its limits. There is a maximum which cannot be transcended. Suppose the citizen to be taxed by the general government to the utmost extent of his ability, or a thing as much as it can possibly bear, and the state imposes a tax at the same time, which authority is to take it? — Henry Clay

Of all human powers operating on the affairs of mankind, none is greater than that of competition. — Henry Clay

Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees. And both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people. — Henry Clay

I have no commiseration for princes. My sympathies are reserved for the great mass of mankind ... . — Henry Clay

Honor and good faith and justice are equally due from this country toward the weak as toward the strong. — Henry Clay

Peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must. — Henry Clay

A nation's character is the sum of its splendid deeds; they constitute one common patrimony, the nation's inheritance. They awe foreign powers, they arouse and animate our own people. — Henry Clay

Statistics are no substitute for judgment. — Henry Clay

How often are we forced to charge fortune with partiality towards the unjust! — Henry Clay

Statistics are no substitue for judgement. — Henry Clay

The time will come when Winter will ask you what you were doing all Summer. — Henry Clay

The great advantage of our system of government over all others, is, that we have a written constitution, defining its limits, and prescribing its authorities; and that, however, for a time, faction may convulse the nation, and passion and party prejudice sway its functionaries, the season of reflection will recur, when calmly retracing their deeds, all aberrations from fundamental principle will be corrected. — Henry Clay

Let him who elevates himself above humanity ... say, if he pleases, "I will never compromise"; but let no one who is not above the frailties of our common nature disdain compromise. — Henry Clay

There is no power like oratory. Caesar controlled men by exciting their fears, Cicero by ... swaying their passions. The influence of the one perished; that of the other continues to this day. — Henry Clay

An oppressed people are authorized whenever
they can to rise and break their fetters. — Henry Clay

In all cases where incidental powers are acted upon, the principal and incidental ought to be congenial with each other, and partake of a common nature. The incidental power ought to be strictly subordinate and limited to the end proposed to be obtained by the specified power. In other words, under the name of accomplishing one object which is specified, the power implied ought not to be made to embrace other objects, which are not specified in the constitution. — Henry Clay

War unhinges society, disturbs its peaceful and regular industry, and scatters poisonous seeds of disease and immorality, which continue to germinate and diffuse their baneful influence long after it has ceased. Dazzling by its glitter, pomp and pageantry, it begets a spirit of wild adventure and romantic enterprise, and often disqualifies those who embark in it, after their return from the bloody fields of battle, from engaging in the industrious and peaceful vocations of life. — Henry Clay

I'd rather be right than be President — Henry Clay

Sir, I would rather be right than to be President. — Henry Clay

How is it with the President? Is he powerless? He is felt from one extremity to the other of this vast Republic. By means of principles which he has introduced, and innovations which he has made in our institutions, alas! but too much countenanced by Congress and a confiding people, he exercises, uncontrolled, the power of the State. In — Henry Clay

The measure of the wealth of a nation is indicated by the measure of its protection of its industry; the measure of the poverty of a nation is marked by the degree in which it neglects and abandons the care of its own industry, leaving it exposed to the action of foreign powers. — Henry Clay

If you wish to avoid foreign collision, you had better abandon the ocean. — Henry Clay

I hope that it will yet be said, America is America's best customer. — Henry Clay

The colors that float from the masthead should be the credentials of our seamen. There is no safety to us, and the gentlemen have shown it, but in the rule that all who sail under the flag (not being enemies) are protected by the flag. — Henry Clay

All legislation is founded upon the principle of mutual concession. — Henry Clay

Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character. — Henry Clay

I always have had, and always shall have, a profound regard for Christianity, the religion of my fathers, and for its rights, its usages and observances. — Henry Clay

The arts of power and its minions are the same in all countries and in all ages. It marks its victim; denounces it; and excites the public odium and the public hatred, to conceal its own abuses and encroachments. — Henry Clay

Recognize at all times the paramount right of your Country to your most devoted services, whether she treat you ill or well, and never let selfish views or interests predominate over the duties of patriotism. — Henry Clay

I have heard something said about allegiance to the South. I know no South, no North, no East, no West, to which I owe any allegiance. — Henry Clay

All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty. All, separated from government, are compatible with liberty. — Henry Clay

Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart. — Henry Clay

All legislation, all government, all society is founded upon the principle of mutual concession, politeness, comity, courtesy; upon these everything is based ... Let him who elevates himself above humanity, above its weaknesses, its infirmities, its wants, its necessities, say, if he pleases, I will never compromise; but let no one who is not above the frailties of our common nature disdain compromises. — Henry Clay

Impart additional strength to our happy Union.?Diversified as are the interests of its various parts, how admirably do they harmonize and blend together!?We have only to make a proper use of the bounties spread before us, to render us prosperous and powerful. — Henry Clay

I would rather be right than President. — Henry Clay

Whether we assert our rights by sea, or attempt their maintenance by land whithersoever we turn ourselves, this phantom incessantly pursues us. Already has it had too much influence on the councils of the nation. — Henry Clay