James Monroe quotes

James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States and a prominent statesman. His Monroe Doctrine became a cornerstone of American foreign policy. He helped shape the nation's identity during the "Era of Good Feelings." Here are 26 of his quotes:

National honor is national property of the highest value. (James Monroe)
In wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. View quote
James Monroe
The mention of Greece fills the mind with the most exalted sentiments and arouses in our bosoms the best feelings of which our nature is capable. View quote
James Monroe
The American continents, by the free and independent condition by which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers. View quote
James Monroe
Our country may be likened to a new house. We lack many things, but we possess the most precious of all - liberty! View quote
James Monroe
A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue. View quote
James Monroe
It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty. View quote
James Monroe
Preservation, improvement, and civilization of the native inhabitants. The Hunter state can exist only in the vast uncultivated desert. It yields to the more dense compact form of and greater force of civilized population; and of right it ought to yield, for the earth was given to mankind to support the greatest number of which it is capable, and no tribe or people have a right to withhold from the wants of others more then is necessary for their own support and comfort. View quote
James Monroe
Our relation to Europe, is pretty much the same, as it was in the commencement of the French Revolution. Can we, in any form, take a bolder attitude in regard to it, in favor of liberty, than we then did? Can we afford greater aid to that cause, by assuming any such attitude, than we do now, by the form of our example? View quote
James Monroe
What was the origin of our slave population? The evil commenced when we were in our Colonial state, but acts were passed by our Colonial Legislature, prohibiting the importation, of more slaves, into the Colony. These were rejected by the Crown. We declared our independence, and the prohibition of a further importation was among the first acts of state sovereignty. Virginia was the first state which instructed her delegates to declare the colonies independent. She braved all dangers. From Quebec to Boston, and from Boston to Savannah, Virginia shed the blood of her sons. No imputation then can be cast upon her in this matter. She did all that was in her power to do, to prevent the extension of slavery, and to mitigate its evils. View quote
James Monroe
We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere. But with the Governments who have declared their independence and maintain it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States. (James Monroe)
It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attainment, and an usurper soon found. The people themselves become the willing instruments of their own debasement and ruin. View quote
James Monroe
The public lands are a public stock, which ought to be disposed of to the best advantage for the nation. View quote
James Monroe
The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil. View quote
James Monroe
The payments which have been made into the Treasury show the very productive state of the public revenue. View quote
James Monroe
Preparation for war is a constant stimulus to suspicion and ill will. View quote
James Monroe
The right of self defense never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and to individuals, and whether the attack be made by Spain herself or by those who abuse her power, its obligation is not the less strong. View quote
James Monroe
If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy. View quote
James Monroe
Our relations with the other powers of Europe have experienced no essential change since the last session. View quote
James Monroe
To impose taxes when the public exigencies require them is an obligation of the most sacred character, especially with a free people. View quote
James Monroe
The great increase of our population throughout the Union will alone produce an important effect, and in no quarter will it be so sensibly felt as in those in contemplation. (James Monroe)
From several of the Indian tribes inhabiting the country bordering on Lake Erie purchases have been made of lands on conditions very favorable to the United States, and, as it is presumed, not less so to the tribes themselves. View quote
James Monroe
By the last returns to the Department of War the militia force of the several States may be estimated at 800,000 men - infantry, artillery, and cavalry. View quote
James Monroe
At no period of our political existence had we so much cause to felicitate ourselves at the prosperous and happy condition of our country. View quote
James Monroe
The civil war which has so long prevailed between Spain and the Provinces in South America still continues, without any prospect of its speedy termination. View quote
James Monroe