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James K. Polk Quotes

11th U.S. President

James K. Polk was the 11th President of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. Known for his foreign policy and the expansion of the United States' territory, he is particularly remembered for his role in the Mexican War, which significantly increased the country's land area.

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All States Constitution President Presidential Government People Political Should Blessing Church Church And State Ifs Men Office Patriotic Politics Presidency Principles Providence Together

Famous James K. Polk Quotes

“Public opinion: May it always perform one of its appropriate offices, by teaching the public functionaries of the State and of the Federal Government, that neither shall assume the exercise of powers entrusted by the Constitution to the other.”

May States Government Opinion Teaching Exercise Office Constitution Assuming Presidential Appropriate Federal Government Public Opinion

Author:James K. Polk

“No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure. If he entrusts the details and smaller matters to subordinates constant errors will occur. 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.”

Ifs Matter Whole Government President Duty Constant Errors Details Operations Leisure Subordinates

Book:The diary of James K. Polk during his presidency, 1845 to 1849, now first printed from the original manuscript in the collections of the Chicago historical society; Volume 4

Source: The diary of James K. Polk during his presidency, 1845 to 1849, now first printed from the original manuscript in the collections of the Chicago historical society; Volume 4

“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.”

Ifs Government Political Passion Politics Members Office Vote Congress Operations Patriotic

Book:The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency

Source: The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency

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

Character Seems Government Appreciate True Character

Author:James K. Polk

“The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.”

World Government Military Ambition

Author:James K. Polk

About the Author

Born: November 2, 1795
Died: June 15, 1849
Known for: 11th U.S. President
Quotes: 31

Books & Sources

The diary of James K. Polk during his presidency, 1845 to 1849, now first printed from the original manuscript in the collections of the Chicago historical society; Volume 4Related source material

Messages and Papers of the Presidents: James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, and Franklin PierceRelated source material

The Diary of James K. Polk During His PresidencyRelated source material

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