William Howard Taft Quotes & Sayings

In the public interest, therefore, it is better that we lose the services of the exceptions who are good Judges after they are seventy and avoid the presence on the Bench of men who are not able to keep up with the work, or to perform it satisfactorily. — William Howard Taft

Presidents may go to the seashore or to the mountains. Cabinet officers may go about the country explaining how fortunate the country is in having such an administration, but the machinery at Washington continues to operate under the army of faithful non-commissioned officers, and the great mass of governmental business is uninterrupted. — William Howard Taft

We should have an army so organized and so officered as to be capable in time of emergency, in cooperation with the National Militia, and under the provision of a proper national volunteer law, rapidly to expand into a force sufficient to resist all probable invasion from abroad and to furnish a respectable expeditionary force if necessary in the maintenance of our traditional American policy which bears the name of President Monroe. — William Howard Taft

That we can come here today and in the presence of thousands and tens of thousands of the survivors of the gallant army of Northern Virginia and their descendants, establish such an enduring monument by their hospitable welcome and acclaim, is conclusive proof of the uniting of the sections, and a universal confession that all that was done was well done, that the battle had to be fought, that the sections had to be tried, but that in the end, the result has inured to the common benefit of all. — William Howard Taft

Don't write so that you can be understood, write so that you can't be misunderstood. — William Howard Taft

The President can exercise no power which cannot be fairly and reasonably traced to some specific grant of power in the Federal Constitution or in an act of Congress passed in pursuance thereof. There is no undefined residuum of power which he can exercise because it seems to him to be in the public interest. — William Howard Taft

The true Mason is the Tiler of the Temple of the Heart. — William Howard Taft

The Masonic system represents a stupendous and beautiful fabric, founded on universal purity, to rule and direct our passions, to have faith and love in God, and charity toward man. — William Howard Taft

Enthusiasm for a cause sometimes warps judgement. — William Howard Taft

Take away from the courts, if it could be taken away, the power to issue injunctions in labor disputes, and it would create a privileged class among the laborers and save the lawless among their number from a most needful remedy available to all men for the protection of their business interests against unlawful invasion ... The secondary boycott is an instrument of tyranny, and ought not to be made legitimate. — William Howard Taft

We are all imperfect. We can not expect perfect government. — William Howard Taft

Rules of conduct which govern men in their relations to one another are being applied in an ever-increasing degree to nations. The battlefield as a place of settlement of disputes is gradually yielding to arbitral courts of justice. — William Howard Taft

Presidents come and go, but the Supreme Court goes on forever. — William Howard Taft

Unless education promotes character making, unless it helps men to be more moral, more just to their fellows, more law abiding, more discriminatingly patriotic and public spirited, it is not worth the trouble taken to furnish it. — William Howard Taft

Politics make me sick — William Howard Taft

It gives me the greatest pleasure to say, as I do from the bottom of my heart, that never in the history of the country, in any crisis and under any conditions, have our Jewish fellow citizens failed to live up to the highest standards of citizenship and patriotism. — William Howard Taft

It is fitting that the Government of the United States should assume the obligation of the establishment and maintenance of a first-class university for the education of colored menand I wish to put in this caveatthat the colored race today, all of them, would be better off if they all had university education ... Of course, the basis of education of the colored people is in the primary schools and in industrial schools ... In those schools must be introduced teachers from such university institutions as this. — William Howard Taft

I don't know the man I admire more than [Charles Evans] Hughes. If ever I have the chance I shall offer him the Chief Justiceship. — William Howard Taft

We have a government of limited power under the Constitution, and we have got to work out our problems on the basis of law. — William Howard Taft

What I am anxious to do is to get the best bill possible with the least amount of friction ... I wish to avoid [splitting our party]. I shall do all in my power to retain the corporation tax as it is now and also force a reduction of the [tariff] schedules. It is only when all other efforts fail that I'll resort to headlines and force the people into this fight. — William Howard Taft

Repeat mantra: Donuts are not vitamins, donuts are not ... — William Howard Taft

There is nothing so despicable as a secret society that is based upon religious prejudice and that will attempt to defeat a man because of his religious beliefs. Such a society is like a cockroach - it thrives in the dark. So do those who combine for such an end. — William Howard Taft

The President cannot make clouds to rain and cannot make the corn to grow. He cannot make business good, although when these things occur, political parties do claim some credit for the good things that have happened in this way — William Howard Taft

I do not allow myself to be moved by anything except the law. If there has been a mistake in the law, or if I think there has beenperjury or injustice, I will weigh the petition most carefully, but I do not permit myself to be moved by more harrowing details, and I try to treat each case as if I was reviewing it or hearing it for the first time from the bench. — William Howard Taft

The true Mason ever strives to cultivate Masonry in his/her life to the fullest degree possible. — William Howard Taft

The secret of Masonry, like the secret of life, can be known only by those who seek it, serve it, live it. It cannot be uttered; it can only be felt and acted. It is, in fact, an open secret, and each man knows it according to his quest and capacity. Like all things worth knowing, no one can know it for another and no man can know it alone. — William Howard Taft

A government is for the benefit of all the people. — William Howard Taft

We are all dependent upon the investment of capital. — William Howard Taft

The diplomacy of the present administration has sought to respond to the modern idea of commercial intercourse. This policy has been characterized as substituting dollars for bullets. — William Howard Taft

I do not believe in the divinity of Christ, and there are many other of the postulates of the orthodox creed to which I cannot subscribe. — William Howard Taft

The judiciary has fallen to a very low state in this country. I think your part of the country has suffered especially. The federal judges of the South are a disgrace to any country, and I'll be damned if I put any man on the bench of whose character and ability there is the least doubt. — William Howard Taft

I don't know whither we are drifting, but I do know where every real thinking patriot will stand in the end, and that's by the Constitution. — William Howard Taft

The true Mason takes full responsibility for the condition of his character and ever strives for its perfection. — William Howard Taft

One of the reforms to be carried out during the incoming administration is a change in our monetary and banking laws, so as to secure greater elasticity in the forms of currency available for trade and to prevent the limitations of law from operating to increase the embarrassment of a financial panic. — William Howard Taft

The cheerful loser is a sort of winner. — William Howard Taft

The development of the doctrine of international arbitration, considered from the standpoint of its ultimate benefits to the human race, is the most vital movement of modern times. In its relation to the well-being of the men and women of this and ensuing generations, it exceeds in importance the proper solution of various economic problems which are constant themes of legislative discussion and enactment. — William Howard Taft

Lawyers are necessary in a community. Some of you ... take a different view; but as I am a member of that legal profession, or was at one time, and have only lost standing in it to become a politician, I still retain the pride of the profession. And I still insist that it is the law and the lawyer that make popular government under a written constitution and written statutes possible.. — William Howard Taft

The scope of modern government in what it can and ought to accomplish for its people has been widened far beyond the principles laid down by the old "laissez faire" school of political rights, and the widening has met popular approval. — William Howard Taft

The prosperity of Masonry as a means of strengthening our religion and propagating true brotherly love, is one of the dearest wishes of my heart, which, I trust, will be gratified by the help of the Grand Architect of the Universe. — William Howard Taft

I'll be damned if I am not getting tired of this. It seems to be the profession of a President simply to hear other people talk. — William Howard Taft

It is not impossible, of course, after such an administration as Roosevelt's and after the change in method that I could not but adapt in view of my different way of looking at things, that questions should arise as to whether I should go back on the principles of the Roosevelt administration ... I have a government of limited power under a Constitution, and we have got to work out our problems on the basis of law. Now, if that is reactionary, then I am a reactionary. — William Howard Taft

As a people, we have the problem of making our forests outlast this generation, or iron outlast this century, and our coal the next; not merely as a matter of convenience or comfort, but as a matter of stern necessity. — William Howard Taft

The true Mason is ever vigilant for subtle traces of character and personality flaws which daily experience brings out. — William Howard Taft

Politics, when I am in it, it makes me sick. — William Howard Taft

The policy of dollar diplomacy is one that appeals alike to idealistic humanitarian sentiments, to dictates of sound policy, and strategy, and to legitimate commercial aims. — William Howard Taft

Failure to accord credit to anyone for what he may have done is a great weakness in any man. — William Howard Taft

There is no "but" in it. The way to be an administration Senator is to vote with the Administration. — William Howard Taft

The Society or Fraternity of Freemasons is more in the nature of a system of Philosophy or of moral and social virtues taught by symbols, allegories, and lectures based upon fundamental truths, the observance of which tends to promote stability of character, conservatism, morality and good citizenship. — William Howard Taft

I know how irritating it is to have somebody else lay down rules for your moral uplift, but you've got to stand a great deal in order to make progress ... — William Howard Taft

The truth is that in my present life I don't remember that I ever was president — William Howard Taft

We shall have to begin all over again. [Taft hoped that] the Senators might change their minds, or that the people might change the Senate; instead of which they changed me. — William Howard Taft

I wish to reiterate all the reasons which [my predecessor] has presented in favor of the policy of maintaining a strong navy as the best conservator of our peace with other nations and the best means of securing respect for the assertion of our rights of the defense of our interests, and the exercise of our influence in international matters. — William Howard Taft

No tendency is quite so strong in human nature as the desire to lay down rules of conduct for other people. — William Howard Taft

No, the only things which do not bother me are the elements. I can overcome them without a fight. All one has to do to get the best of the elements is to stand pat and one will win. — William Howard Taft

We have passed the time of ... the laisser-faire [sic] school which believes that the government ought to do nothing but run a police force. — William Howard Taft

There is no legislation
I care not what it is
tariff, railroads, corporations, or of a general political character, that all equals in importance the putting of our banking and currency system on the sound basis proposed in the National Monetary Commission plan. — William Howard Taft

A National Government cannot create good times. It cannot make the rain to fall, the sun to shine, or the crops to grow, but it can, by pursuing a meddlesome policy, attempting to change economic conditions, and frightening the investment of capital, prevent a prosperity and a revival of business which might otherwise have taken place. — William Howard Taft

I think it is a wise course for laborers to unite to defend their interests ... I think the employer who declines to deal with organized labor and to recognize it as a proper element in the settlement of wage controversies is behind the times ... Of course, when organized labor permits itself to sympathize with violent methods or undue duress, it is not entitled to our sympathy. — William Howard Taft

Anti-Semitism is a noxious weed that should be cut out. It has no place in America. — William Howard Taft

I prefer an income tax, but the truth is I am afraid of the discussion which will follow and the criticism which will ensue if there is an other division in the Supreme Court on the subject of the income tax. Nothing has injured the prestige of the Supreme Court more than that last decision, and I think that many of the most violent advocates of the income tax will be glad of the substitution in their hearts for the same reasons. I am going to push the Constitutional amendment, which will admit an income tax without questions, but I am afraid of it without such an amendment. — William Howard Taft

The true Mason does not hold or teach the attitude that, I am a Master Mason now and thus I no longer need to be concerned with using the working tools because they were given in the earlier degrees. — William Howard Taft

We live in a stage of politics, where legislators seem to regard the passage of laws as much more important than the results of their enforcement. — William Howard Taft

That all may be so, but when I begin to exercise that power I am not conscious of the power, but only of the limitations imposed on me. — William Howard Taft

I am glad to be going. This is the lonesomest pace in the world? — William Howard Taft

People run away from the name subsidy. It is a subsidy. I am not afraid to call it so. It is paid for the purpose of giving a merchant marine to the whole country so that the trade of the whole country will be benefitted thereby, and the men running the ships will of course make a reasonable profit ... Unless we have a merchant marine, our navy if called upon for offensive or defensive work is going to be most defective. — William Howard Taft

Socialism proposes no adequate substitute for the motive of enlightened selfishness that today is at the basis of all human labor and effort, enterprise and new activity. — William Howard Taft

I am in favor of helping the prosperity of all countries because, when we are all prosperous, the trade with each becomes more valuable to the other. — William Howard Taft

I am going to do what I think is best for the country, within my jurisdiction and power, and then let the rest take care of itself. — William Howard Taft

The true Mason never hesitates to use the working tools to correct personal flaws. — William Howard Taft

I am president now, and tired of being kicked around. — William Howard Taft

Golf in the interest of good health and good manners. It promotes self-restraint and affords a chance to play the man and act the gentleman. — William Howard Taft

The precepts of the Gospel were universally the obligations of Masonry. — William Howard Taft

I know this, and I know it from actual experience in the Orient, that the progress of modern Christian civilization has largely depended on the earnest hard work of the Christian missions of every denomination. — William Howard Taft

The City that knows how. — William Howard Taft

The game of baseball is a clean, straight game, and it summons to its presence everybody who enjoys clean, straight athletics. It furnishes amusement to the thousands and thousands. — William Howard Taft

The true Mason's level of discernment increases with every use of the working tools, because the true Mason is ever working on him/her self. — William Howard Taft

My impression about the Panama Canal is that the great revolution it is going to introduce in the trade of the world is in the trade between the east and the west coast of the United States. — William Howard Taft

The real secrets of Masonry are never told, not even from mouth to ear. For the real secret of Masonry is spoken to your heart and from it to the heart of your brother. Never the language made for tongue may speak it, it is uttered only in the eye in those manifestations of that love which a man has for his friend, which passeth all other loves. — William Howard Taft

I have an intense personal interest in making the use of American capital in the development of China an instrument for the promotion of the welfare of China, and an increase in her material prosperity without entanglements or creating embarrassment affecting the growth of her independent political power, and the preservation of her territorial integrity. — William Howard Taft

The true Mason always carries his working tools everywhere. — William Howard Taft

We passed the Children's Bureau bill calculated to prevent children from being employed too early in factories. — William Howard Taft

The study of Freemasonry is the study of man as a candidate for a blessed eternity. It furnishes examples of holy living, and displays the conduct which is pleasing and acceptable to God. The doctrines and examples which distinguish the Order are obvious, and suited to every capacity. It is impossible for the most fastidious Mason to misunderstand, however he might slight or neglect them. It is impossible for the most superficial brother to say that he is unable to comprehend the plain precepts and the unanswerable arguments which are furnished by Freemasonry. — William Howard Taft

On the whole, yes, I would rather be the Chief Justice of the United States, and a quieter life than that which becomes at the White House is more in keeping with the temperament, but when taken into consideration that I go into history as President, and my children and my children's children are the better placed on account of that fact, I am inclined to think that to be President well compensates one for all the trials and criticisms he has to bear and undergo. — William Howard Taft

Politics makes me sick. — William Howard Taft

I think I might as well give up being a candidate. There are so many people in the country who don't like me. — William Howard Taft

If they will play fair I will play fair, but if they won't then I reserve all my rights to do anything I find myself able to do. — William Howard Taft

There are a great many people who are in favor of conservation no matter what it means. — William Howard Taft

The secrecy of Masonry is an honorable secrecy; any good man may ask for her secrets; those who are worthy will receive them. To give them to those who do not seek, or who are not worthy, would but impoverish the Fraternity and enrich not those who received them. — William Howard Taft

Too many people don't care what happens so long as it doesn't happen to them. — William Howard Taft

If this humor be the safety of our race, then it is due largely to the infusion into the American people of the Irish brain. — William Howard Taft

We, as Unitarians, may feel that the world is coming our way. — William Howard Taft

When the history of this period is written, [William Jennings] Bryan will stand out as one of the most remarkable men of his generation and one of the biggest political men of our country. — William Howard Taft

Roosevelt could always keep ahead with his work, but I cannot do it, and I know it is a grievous fault, but it is too late to remedy it. The country must take me as it found me. Wasn't it your mother who had a servant girl who said it was no use for her to try to hurry, that she was a "Sunday chil" and no "Sunday chil" could hurry? I don't think I am a Sunday child, but I ought to have been; then I would have had an excuse for always being late. — William Howard Taft

I do not know much about politics, but I am trying to do the best I can with this administration until the time shall come for me to turn it over to somebody else. — William Howard Taft

I am afraid I am a constant disappointment to my party. The fact of the matter is, the longer I am president the less of a party man I seem to become. — William Howard Taft

Action for which I become responsible, or for which my administration becomes responsible, shall be within the law. — William Howard Taft

The truth is, the whole administration under Roosevelt was demoralized by the system of dealing directly with subordinates. It wasobviated in the State Department and the War Department under [Secretary of State Elihu] Root and me [Taft was the Secretary of War], because we simply ignored the interference and went on as we chose ... The subordinates gained nothing by his assumption of authority, but it was not so in the other departments. — William Howard Taft

Masonry, according to the general acceptation of the term, is an art founded on the principles of geometry, and devoted to the service and convenience of mankind. But Freemasonry, embracing a wider range and having a nobler object in view, namely, the cultivation and improvement of the human mind, may with more propriety be called a science, inasmuch as, availing itself of the terms of the former, it inculcates the principles of the purest morality, though its lessons are for the most part veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. — William Howard Taft

I love judges, and I love courts. They are my ideals, that typify on earth what we shall meet hereafter in heaven under a just God. — William Howard Taft

A man never knows exactly how the child of his brain will strike other people. — William Howard Taft