James A. Garfield Quotes

Whoever controls the volume of money in any country is absolute master of all industry and commerce.

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.

The worst days of darkness through which I have ever passed have been greatly alleviated by throwing myself with all my energy into some work relating to others.

The civil service can never be placed on a satisfactory basis until it is regulated by law.

To all our means of culture is added the powerful incentive to personal ambition, no post of honor is so high but the poorest may hope to reach it.

The world’s history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains have been pealing along down the centuries, and though there have been mingled the discords of warring cannon and dying men, yet to the Christian philosopher and historian – the humble listener – there has been a Divine melody running through the song which speaks of hope and halcyon days to come.

For honest merit to succeed amid the tricks and intrigues which are now so lamentably common, I know is difficult; but the honor of success is increased by the obstacles which are to be surmounted. Let me triumph as a man or not at all.

History is but the unrolled scroll of prophecy.

The refunding of the national debt at a lower rate of interest should be accomplished without compelling the withdrawal of the national-bank notes, and thus disturbing the business of the country.

There are some things I am afraid of: I am afraid to do a mean thing.

Coercion is the basis of every law in the universe,–human or divine. A law is not law without coercion behind it.

Territory is but the body of a nation. The people who inhabit its hills and valleys are its soul, its spirit, its life.