James K. Polk Quotes

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James K. Polk

Profession : President

Birth : November 2, 1795

Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.

James K. Polk

I cannot adequately express the horror I feel for a man who can be so base as to veil his hypocrisy under the cloak of religion, and state the base falsehood he has done.

James K. Polk

Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.

James K. Polk

Although... the Chief Magistrate must almost of necessity be chosen by a party and stand pledged to its principles and measures, yet in his official action he should not be the President of a party only, but of the whole people of the United States.

James K. Polk

No person can be more deeply sensible than myself of the danger of entangling alliances with any foreign nation. That we should avoid such alliances has become a maxim of our policy consecrated by the most venerated names which adorn our history and sanctioned by the unanimous voice of the American people.

James K. Polk

No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure.

James K. Polk

It is of great importance to our country generally, and especially to our navigating and whaling interests, that the Pacific Coast and, indeed, the whole of our territory west of the Rocky Mountains, should speedily be filled up by a hardy and patriotic population.

James K. Polk

With me it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses.

James K. Polk

One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights.

James K. Polk

I would bring the government back to what it was intended to be - a plain economical government.

James K. Polk

Our relations with the various Indian tribes continue to be of a pacific character.

James K. Polk

Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.

James K. Polk

I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant and will become a sovereign.

James K. Polk

The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.

James K. Polk

It is not questioned that the Federal Government is one of limited powers. Its powers are such, and such only, as are expressly granted in the Constitution or are properly incident to the expressly granted powers and necessary to their execution.

James K. Polk

The whole frame of the Federal Constitution proves that the government which it creates was intended to be one of limited and specified powers.

James K. Polk

Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our government.

James K. Polk

It becomes us in humility to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favored.

James K. Polk

There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress than I had any conception of, before I became President of the U.S.

James K. Polk

Senator Badger did not call. During the whole of the last session of Congress, he did not call on me. He is a bitter partisan and is no doubt sensible that during the presidential canvass of 1844, he did me gross injustice.

James K. Polk