James K. Polk quotes

James K. Polk was the 11th president of the United States and a key figure in American expansionism during the 19th century. His leadership resulted in the significant territorial growth of the country through the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Treaty, and the Mexican-American War. He is remembered for fulfilling his campaign promises and shaping the future map of the United States. Here are 26 of his quotes:

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

James K. Polk

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

James K. Polk

Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between church and state.

James K. Polk

The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in 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

Although in our country 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 part only, but of the whole people of the United States.

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 passion for office among members of Congress is very great, if not absolutely disreputable, and greatly embarrasses the operations of the government. They create offices by their own votes and then seek to fill them themselves.

James K. Polk

Under the benignant providence of Almighty God the representatives of the States and of the people are again brought together to deliberate for the public good. The gratitude of the nation to the sovereign arbiter of all human events should be commensurate with the boundless blessings which we enjoy. Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.

James K. Polk

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

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

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

James K. Polk

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

James K. Polk

Under the benignant providence of Almighty God the representatives of the States and of the people are again brought together to deliberate for the public good.

James K. Polk

I love you Sarah. For all eternity, I love you.

James K. Polk

We must ever mandate the principle that the people of this continent alone have the right to decide their own destiny.

James K. Polk

There are four great measures for my administration - a reduction of tariff, an independent treasury, settlement of the Oregon boundary and acquisition of California.

James K. Polk

The gratitude ... should be commensurate with the boundless blessings which we enjoy.

James K. Polk

No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.

James K. Polk

I prefer to supervise the whole operations of the government myself rather than entrust the public business to subordinates, and this makes my duties very great.

James K. Polk

By the theory of our Government majorities rule, but this right is not an arbitrary or unlimited one. It is a right to be exercised in subordination to the Constitution and in conformity to it. One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights.

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