William Henry Harrison Quotes & Sayings

The only legitimate right to govern is an express grant of power from the governed. — William Henry Harrison

I contend that the strongest of all governments is that which is most free. — William Henry Harrison

The prudent capitalist will never adventure his capital ... if there exists a state of uncertainty as to whether the Government will repeal tomorrow what it has enacted today. — William Henry Harrison

The people are the best guardians of their own rights and it is the duty of their executive to abstain from interfering in or thwarting the sacred exercise of the lawmaking functions of their government. — William Henry Harrison

The plea of necessity, that eternal argument of all conspirators. — William Henry Harrison

Is one of the fairest portions of the globe to remain in a state of nature, the haunt of a few wretched savages, when it seems destined by the Creator to give support to a large population and to be the seat of civilization? — William Henry Harrison

Sir, I wish to understand the true principles of the Government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more. — William Henry Harrison

A decent and manly examination of the acts of government should not only be tolerated, but encouraged. — William Henry Harrison

Conscience, that vicegerent of God in the human heart, whose "still small voice" the loudest revelry cannot drown. — William Henry Harrison

I believe that all the measures of the Government are directed to the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer. — William Henry Harrison

The chains of military despotism, once fastened upon a nation, ages might pass away before they could be shaken off. — William Henry Harrison

The liberties of a people depend on their own constant attention to its preservation. — William Henry Harrison

The virtue of its Citizens is the only Support of a Republican government — William Henry Harrison

There is nothing more corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest and finest feelings of our nature, than the exercise of unlimited power. — William Henry Harrison

Sound morals, religious liberty, and a just sense of religious responsibility are essentially connected with all true and lasting happiness. — William Henry Harrison

To Englishmen, life is a topic, not an activity. — William Henry Harrison