Quotes by Rutherford B. Hayes

About Rutherford B. Hayes:

Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States (1877–1881). As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction, began the efforts that led to civil service reform, and attempted to reconcile the divisions left over from the Civil War and Reconstruction.
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The real difficulty is with the vast wealth and power in the hands of the few and the unscrupulous who represent or control capital. Hundreds of laws of Congress and the state legislatures are in the interest of these men and against the interests of...

Rutherford B. Hayes

He serves his party best who serves his country best.

Rutherford B. Hayes

The unrestricted competition so commonly advocated does not leave us the survival of the fittest. The unscrupulous succeed best in accumulating wealth.

Rutherford B. Hayes

The President of the United States should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who serves his country best.

Rutherford B. Hayes

In avoiding the appearance of evil, I am not sure but I have sometimes unnecessarily deprived myself and others of innocent enjoyments.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Virtue is defined to be mediocrity, of which either extreme is vice.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Let every man, every corporation, and especially let every village, town, and city, every county and State, get out of debt and keep out of debt. It is the debtor that is ruined by hard times.

Rutherford B. Hayes

I am a radical in thought (and principle) and a conservative in method (and conduct).

Rutherford B. Hayes

Universal suffrage is sound in principle. The radical element is right.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Must swear off from swearing. Bad habit.

Rutherford B. Hayes

As friends go it is less important to live.

Rutherford B. Hayes

One of the tests of the civilization of people is the treatment of its criminals.

Rutherford B. Hayes

To vote is like the payment of a debt, a duty never to be neglected, if its performance is possible.

Rutherford B. Hayes

I am not liked as a President by the politicians in office, in the press, or in Congress. But I am content to abide the judgment the sober second thought of the people.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Do not let your bachelor ways crystallize so that you can't soften them when you come to have a wife and a family of your own.

Rutherford B. Hayes

The bold enterprises are the successful ones. Take counsel of hopes rather than of fears to win in this business.

Rutherford B. Hayes

I am less disposed to think of a West Point education as requisite for this business than I was at first. Good sense and energy are the qualities required.

Rutherford B. Hayes

We are in a period when old questions are settled and the new are not yet brought forward. Extreme party action, if continued in such a time, would ruin the party. Moderation is its only chance. The party out of power gains by all partisan conduct of...

Rutherford B. Hayes

The filth and noise of the crowded streets soon destroy the elasticity of health which belongs to the country boy.

Rutherford B. Hayes

The independence of all political and other bother is a happiness.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Author Bio

  • NameRutherford B. Hayes
  • DescriptionAmerican politician, 19th president of the United States (in office from 1877 to 1881)
  • AliasesRutherford Birchard Hayes; Rutherford Hayes
  • BornOctober 4, 1822
  • DiedJanuary 17, 1893
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionLawyer; Politician; Officer