Martin Van Buren was an American statesman who served as the eighth president of the United States from 1837 to 1841. He was one of the founders of the Democratic Party. He won the 1836 presidential election with the endorsement of popular outgoing President Andrew Jackson and the organizational strength of the Democratic Party.
Martin Van Buren was born on December 5, 1782, in Kinderhook, New York. Van Buren received his basic education at the village schoolhouse and briefly studied Latin. Van Buren was raised speaking Dutch and learned English at school. He is the only president to date with English as his second language. Before becoming president, he served as the ninth governor of New York, the tenth United States secretary of state, and the eighth vice president of the United States. He died on July 24, 1862.
1 The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity. -Martin Van Buren
The lesser the government interference in the private affairs of the people, the more prosperous the nation. No government has the right to unnecessarily intrude upon the private life of the citizens.
2 The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought. Martin Van Buren
A government is responsible for all its citizens and their well-being. As such, they cannot make important decisions on a whim. Only after careful deliberation should a government make decisions, taking into consideration the welfare of every individual.
3 No evil can result from its inhibition more pernicious than its toleration. -Martin Van Buren
There must always be a limitation to liberty. A completely tolerant society will soon be engulfed by anarchy. Some things that may harm the peace of a nation have to be inhibited and controlled before they could detrimentally affect the nation.
4 There is a power in public opinion in this country and I thank God for it, for it is the most honest and best of all powers -Martin Van Buren
The masses have immense power in their collective voices. The penultimate power always lies with the people. It is the people who decide what path the country should take.
5 I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men, in receiving from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious predecessor. -Martin Van Buren
Every democratically elected leader has to fill the shoes of his predecessors. He must do justice to the trust that people place in him.
6 The principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me is a strict adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution. -Martin Van Buren
In a democracy, the constitution is sacrosanct. Any leader who is chosen has to adhere to its principles and spirits.
7 It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t. -Martin Van Buren
Instead of searching for excuses, it’s always better to do your job right. Focus on what you have to do and finish it instead of making up excuses.
8 As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it. -Martin Van Buren
We’re always excited when we are given a position of authority. The first day is always the best as we’re naive to the responsibilities that come with it. But the reality finally dawns upon us later and very often, we yearn to give it up.
9 Is it possible to be anything in this country without being a politician? -Martin Van Buren
Politics has an overbearing influence in your lives no matter how much you wish otherwise. Political illiteracy will only work against you. The reality is that you will have to get involved with politicians if you want to reach anywhere significant in life.
10 Most men are not scolded out of their opinion. -Martin Van Buren
No person has ever changed his opinion just because someone else scolded him. The more your reprimand them, the more tightly they hold onto their opinions.
11 Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. -Martin Van Buren
Significant changes in the world are never brought about by bootlicking those in power. It is the common people who have to be influenced and convinced.
12 Banks properly established and conducted are highly useful to the business of the country. -Martin Van Buren
The banks are the safe keepers of a country’s economy. Only by developing the banks can a nation improve its business.
13 Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot live long enough to make them all yourself. -Martin Van Buren
Look at others and learn from the mistakes that they make. It’s foolish to walk down the same path that others took, which led them to a dead end. You can always avoid the mistakes that are made by them, by learning from them.
13 Powerful Martin Van Buren Quotes To Read!
1. The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity. -Martin Van Buren
2. The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought. Martin Van Buren
3. No evil can result from its inhibition more pernicious than its toleration. -Martin Van Buren
4. There is a power in public opinion in this country and I thank God for it, for it is the most honest and best of all powers -Martin Van Buren
5. I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men, in receiving from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious predecessor. -Martin Van Buren
6. The principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me is a strict adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution. -Martin Van Buren
7. It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t. -Martin Van Buren
8. As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it. -Martin Van Buren
9. Is it possible to be anything in this country without being a politician? -Martin Van Buren
10. Most men are not scolded out of their opinion. -Martin Van Buren
11. Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. -Martin Van Buren
12. Banks properly established and conducted are highly useful to the business of the country. -Martin Van Buren
13. Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot live long enough to make them all yourself. -Martin Van Buren
