Top 15 Henry Clay Quotes

American politician from Kentucky (1777-1852)

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Henry Clay (12 April 1777 – 29 June 1852) was a leading American statesman and orator who served in both the House of Representatives and Senate. Known as "The Great Compromiser" and "The Great Pacifier" for his ability to bring others to agreement, he was the founder and leader of the Whig Party and a leading advocate of programs for modernizing the economy, especially tariffs to protect industry, a national bank and internal improvements to promote canals, ports and railroads.

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Alternative Names: Henry Clay, Sr. • Henry Clay Sr.

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

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

Statistics are no substitute for judgment.

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.

Statistics are no substitue for judgement.

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.

Sir, I would rather be right than to be President.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

I'd rather be right than be President