It’s pretty easy to put together a list of great Presidential leadership quotes if you rely on Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, FDR and Reagan. But how about extracting inspiring words from the less famous (and in many cases far less talented) Presidents? Well believe it or not, the forgettable have actually said some memorable things. Please enjoy 9 Great Presidential Quotes from some of our lesser Commanders in Chief.
1. “It is not strange… to mistake change for progress.” Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
2. “Frequently the more trifling the subject, the more animated and protracted the discussion.” Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
3. “It would be judicious to act with magnanimity towards a prostrate foe.” Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
4. “Failure to accord credit to anyone for what he may have done is a great weakness in any man.” William Howard Taft (1909-1913)
5. “The bold enterprises are the successful ones. Take counsel of hopes rather than of fears to win in this business.” Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
6. “The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought.” Martin VanBuren (1837-1841)
7. “A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.” Richard M. Nixon (1969-1974)
8. “It takes a great man to be a good listener.” Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
9. “It’s not necessary to fear the prospect of failure but to be determined not to fail.” Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
