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… — William Howard Taft Copy Share
One cannot always be sure of the truth of what one hears if he happens to be President of the United States. — William Howard Taft Copy Share Image
It is fitting that the Government of the United States should assume the obligation of the establishment and maintenance of a first-class… — William Howard Taft Copy Share Image
My impression about the Panama Canal is that the great revolution it is going to introduce in the trade of the world… — William Howard Taft Copy Share Image
The study of Freemasonry is the study of man as a candidate for a blessed eternity. It furnishes examples of holy living, and displays the conduct which is pleasing and acceptable to God. The doctrines and examples which distinguish the Order are obvious, and suited to every capacity. It is impossible for the most fastidious Mason to misunderstand, however he… — William Howard Taft Copy Share
What I am anxious to do is to get the best bill possible with the least amount of friction… I wish to avoid [splitting our party]. I shall do all in my power to retain the corporation tax as it is now and also force a reduction of the [tariff] schedules. It is only when all other efforts fail that… — William Howard Taft Copy Share
“A National Government cannot create good times. It cannot make the rain to fall, the sun to shine, or the crops to grow, but… — William Howard Taft Copy Share Image
What I am anxious to do is to secure my legislation… What I want to do is to get through that, and if I… — William Howard Taft Copy Share Image
Lawyers are necessary in a community. Some of you...take a different view; but as I am a member of that legal profession, or was at one time, and have only lost standing in it to become a politician, I still retain the pride of the profession. And I still insist that it is the law and the lawyer that make… — William Howard Taft Copy Share
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… — William Howard Taft Copy Share
I look forward with hope to increasing the already good feeling between the South andthe other sections of the country. My chief purpose is not to affect a change in the electoral vote of the Southern States. That is a secondary consideration. What I look forward to is an increase in the tolerance of political views of all kinds and… — William Howard Taft Copy Share
Substantial progress toward better things can rarely be taken without developing new evils requiring new remedies. — William Howard Taft Copy Share Image
The precepts of the Gospel were universally the obligations of Masonry. — William Howard Taft Copy Share Image
We live in a stage of politics, where legislators seem to regard the passage of laws as much more important than the results of… — William Howard Taft Copy Share Image
