Henry Clay

“Their disappearance from the human family would be no great loss to the world.”

— Henry Clay

The colors that float from the masthead should be the credentials of our seamen. There is no safety to us, and the…

— Henry Clay

“The time will come when Winter will ask you what you were doing all Summer.”

— Henry Clay

“Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the gratefully and appreciating heart.”

— Henry Clay

A man must be a born fool who voluntarily engages in controversy with Mr. Adams on a question of fact. I doubt…

— Henry Clay

Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.

— Henry Clay

I cannot believe that the killing of 2,000 Englishmen at New Orleans qualifies a person for the various difficult and complicated duties…

— Henry Clay

“Recognize at all times the paramount right of your Country to your most devoted services, whether she treat you ill or well,…

— Henry Clay

The gentleman cannot have forgotten his own sentiment, uttered even on the floor of this House, Peaceably if we can, forcibly if…

— Henry Clay

“Statistics are no substitue for judgement.”

— Henry Clay

Impart additional strength to our happy Union.?Diversified as are the interests of its various parts, how admirably do they harmonize and blend…

— Henry Clay

“Sir, I would rather be right than to be President.”

— Henry Clay

All legislation, all government, all society is founded upon the principle of mutual concession, politeness, comity, courtesy; upon these everything is based...Let…

— Henry Clay

All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty. All, separated from government, are compatible with liberty.

— Henry Clay

Whether we assert our rights by sea, or attempt their maintenance by land whithersoever we turn ourselves, this phantom incessantly pursues us.…

— Henry Clay

The great advantage of our system of government over all others, is, that we have a written constitution, defining its limits, and…

— Henry Clay

The imposition of taxes has its limits. There is a maximum which cannot be transcended. Suppose the citizen to be taxed by…

— Henry Clay

I always have had, and always shall have, a profound regard for Christianity, the religion of my fathers, and for its rights,…

— Henry Clay

I have heard something said about allegiance to the South. I know no South, no North, no East, no West, to which…

— Henry Clay

Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees. And both the trust and the trustees are created for…

— Henry Clay

I'd rather be right than President.

— Henry Clay

“War unhinges society, disturbs its peaceful and regular industry, and scatters poisonous seeds of disease and immorality, which continue to germinate and…

— Henry Clay

Statistics are no substitute for judgment.

— Henry Clay

“Sir, I had rather be right than to be President.”

— Henry Clay