Harry S. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. He succeeded after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, before which he served as the 34th vice president. The most significant thing he did as a president was that he implemented the Marshall Plan to rebuild the economy of Western Europe, and established the Truman Doctrine and NATO. He led his country through the final stages of World War II and through the early years of the Cold War.
Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri, on May 8, 1884. Truman was interested in music, reading, and history, all encouraged by his mother, with whom he was very close. Even in his later years, he always sought her advice. Truman was elected to the United States Senate from Missouri in 1934. He rallied his New Deal coalition during the 1948 presidential election and won a surprise victory. Corruption in the Truman administration became a central campaign issue in the 1952 presidential election. He passed away on December 26, 1972.
1 Art is parasitic on life, just as criticism is parasitic on art. -Harry S. Truman
![Art is parasitic on life, just as criticism is parasitic on art. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-002.png)
Art is sustained by life. Art is what adds color and meaning to life and makes it all the more bearable. And criticism thrives on art and helps in improving the art form.
2 Conceit is God’s gift to little men. -Harry S. Truman
![Conceit is God's gift to little men. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-003.png)
Conceit is what helps incapable men to cope. They are so proud of themselves that they rarely have to face their incompetence.
3 If I want to be great I have to win the victory over myself… self-discipline. -Harry S. Truman
![If I want to be great I have to win the victory over myself... self-discipline. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-004.png)
The only person that you need to compete with is yourself. Self-discipline is the most important thing that will set you on the path to greatness.
4 Being too good is apt to be uninteresting. -Harry S. Truman
![Being too good is apt to be uninteresting. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-005.png)
Someone who is exceptional at something will never be interesting. It’s always more interesting to watch the story of an underdog rise up to greatness.
5 I learned that a great leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don’t want to do and like it. -Harry S. Truman
![I learned that a great leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do and like it. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-006.png)
A great leader is one who can inspire others to do the things that they normally wouldn’t do. He can inspire them to follow him through hell if need be, and they wouldn’t even mind it.
6 If you can’t convince them; confuse them. -Harry S. Truman
![If you can't convince them; confuse them. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-007.png)
Be witty in life. If you can’t convince someone to do something, use your wit to confuse them so they wouldn’t know what to do other than what you’ve told them to.
7 I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand. -Harry S. Truman
![I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-008.png)
The people who succeed in life are those who focus on the work that they have to do. They do not let anything stray them away from the path that they’ve chosen. They work with perseverance and determination.
8 Not all readers are leaders, but all readers are leaders. -Harry S. Truman
![Not all readers are leaders, but all readers are leaders. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-009.png)
To be a leader, one has to be a proficient reader first. A great leader needs to be knowledgeable and curious. He has to have the spirit to read and learn more.
9 Well, I wouldn’t say that I was in the great class, but I had a great time while I was trying to be great. -Harry S. Truman
![Well, I wouldn't say that I was in the great class, but I had a great time while I was trying to be great. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-010.png)
What matters more is the journey and not the destination. Strive to be great and you will inevitably learn a lot of things along the way.
10 It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. -Harry S. Truman
![It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-011.png)
You can achieve many things in life if you do not care about getting the credit every time. Focus on the work and not on getting the subsequent fame.
11 Always be sincere, even if you don’t mean it. -Harry S. Truman
![Always be sincere, even if you don't mean it. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-012.png)
Always be sincere in life. Work sincerely and always practice honesty. There is not a virtue more important than honesty.
12 Do your best and history will do the rest. -Harry S. Truman
![Do your best and history will do the rest. -Harry S. Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-013.png)
In whatever task you do, do your best and give it your all. The only thing that should matter to you is your task at hand. Everything else will fall in place on its own if you do your part.
13 America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. -Harry S Truman
![America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. -Harry S Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-014.png)
America is a nation that is built on the principles of courage, honesty, and determination. And these are the principles that its people need to uphold no matter what they face.
14 Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. -Harry S Truman
![Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. -Harry S Truman Best Harry S. Truman quotes to read](https://www.epicquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Epic-Quotes-By-Harry-S.-Truman-015.png)
Progress happens when there is a leader who leads the people to change for the better. Society has always developed only when people are determined to follow the path towards positive change and progress.
14 Memorable Quotes By Harry S. Truman!
1. Art is parasitic on life, just as criticism is parasitic on art. -Harry S. Truman
2. Conceit is God’s gift to little men. -Harry S. Truman
3. If I want to be great I have to win the victory over myself… self-discipline. -Harry S. Truman
4. Being too good is apt to be uninteresting. -Harry S. Truman
5. I learned that a great leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don’t want to do and like it. -Harry S. Truman
6. If you can’t convince them; confuse them. -Harry S. Truman
7. I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand. -Harry S. Truman
8. Not all readers are leaders, but all readers are leaders. -Harry S. Truman
9. Well, I wouldn’t say that I was in the great class, but I had a great time while I was trying to be great. -Harry S. Truman
10. It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. -Harry S. Truman
11. Always be sincere, even if you don’t mean it. -Harry S. Truman
12. Do your best and history will do the rest. -Harry S. Truman
13. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. -Harry S Truman
14. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. -Harry S Truman