Home / Authors / William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft Quotes

27th U.S. President

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. Born on September 15, 1857, and passing away on March 8, 1930, Taft was known for his dedication to maintaining law and order and for pushing for various reforms during his presidency. After leaving office, he remained active in politics and law, serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Filter quotes by topic

All Men Masonic Ifs People President Presidential Government Thinking Law Masons May Constitution Country Knows Masonry Administration Interest Political States Character

Famous William Howard Taft Quotes

“I do not think that there is any doubt about where I stand in respect to boycotts. If there is, I will just state what I think about them. They are illegal and ought to be suppressed. I would never countenance that which recognizes their legality.”

Ifs Thinking States Doubt Ought Labor Illegal Countenance Boycott Legality

Author:William Howard Taft

“I don't know whither we are drifting, but I do know where every real thinking patriot will stand in the end, and that's by the Constitution.”

Thinking Knows Real Ends Constitution Patriotism Patriot Drifting

Author:William Howard Taft

“Roosevelt could always keep ahead with his work, but I cannot do it, and I know it is a grievous fault, but it is too late to remedy it. The country must take me as it found me. Wasn't it your mother who had a servant girl who said it was no use for her to try to hurry, that she was a "Sunday chil" and no "Sunday chil" could hurry? I don't think I am a Sunday child, but I ought to have been; then I would have had an excuse for always being late.”

Thinking Knows Trying Children Has Beens Said Country Use Funny Mother Girl Found Ought Late Faults Excuse Servant Too Late Sunday Take Me Remedy

Author:William Howard Taft

“On the whole, yes, I would rather be the Chief Justice of the United States, and a quieter life than that which becomes at the White House is more in keeping with the temperament, but when taken into consideration that I go into history as President, and my children and my children's children are the better placed on account of that fact, I am inclined to think that to be President well compensates one for all the trials and criticisms he has to bear and undergo.”

“I prefer an income tax, but the truth is I am afraid of the discussion which will follow and the criticism which will ensue if there is an other division in the Supreme Court on the subject of the income tax. Nothing has injured the prestige of the Supreme Court more than that last decision, and I think that many of the most violent advocates of the income tax will be glad of the substitution in their hearts for the same reasons. I am going to push the Constitutional amendment, which will admit an income tax without questions, but I am afraid of it without such an amendment.”

“The judiciary has fallen to a very low state in this country. I think your part of the country has suffered especially. The federal judges of the South are a disgrace to any country, and I'll be damned if I put any man on the bench of whose character and ability there is the least doubt.”

Ifs Thinking Men Country States Character Ability Doubt Judging Lows South Fallen Disgrace Benches Judiciary Federal Judges

Author:William Howard Taft

“I do not allow myself to be moved by anything except the law. If there has been a mistake in the law, or if I think there has beenperjury or injustice, I will weigh the petition most carefully, but I do not permit myself to be moved by more harrowing details, and I try to treat each case as if I was reviewing it or hearing it for the first time from the bench.”

Ifs Thinking Trying Firsts Has Beens Law Mistake Cases First Time Treats Moved Injustice Details Hearing Permit Benches Petitions

Author:William Howard Taft

“I think it is a wise course for laborers to unite to defend their interests.... I think the employer who declines to deal with organized labor and to recognize it as a proper element in the settlement of wage controversies is behind the times.... Of course, when organized labor permits itself to sympathize with violent methods or undue duress, it is not entitled to our sympathy.”

Thinking Courses Interest Deals Behinds Wise Elements Labor Method Violent Organized Permit Decline Entitled Controversy Employers Settlement Laborers Organized Labor Duress

Author:William Howard Taft

“No tendency is quite so strong in human nature as the desire to lay down rules of conduct for other people.”

People Thinking Humans Desire Strong Human Nature Lays Tendencies

Author:William Howard Taft

“I think I might as well give up being a candidate. There are so many people in the country who don't like me.”

People Thinking Giving Wells Country Might Political Politics Giving Up Like Me Candidates Don't Like Me

Author:William Howard Taft

“There is only one thing I want to say about Ohio that has a political tinge, and that is that I think a mistake has been made of recent years in Ohio in failing to continue as our representatives the same people term after term. I do not need to tell a Washington audience, among whom there are certainly some who have been interested in legislation, that length of service in the House and in the Senate is what gives influence.”

People Thinking Needs Giving Years Has Beens Made Political House Term Mistake Audience Failing One Thing Influence Length Senate Representatives Legislation Ohio

Author:William Howard Taft