--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What America needs is to hold to its…" description: "\"What America needs is to hold to its ancient and well-charted course. Our country was conceived in the theory of local self-government. It has been ded..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/calvin-coolidge-764_america_what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-anc_2168217.jpg" --- # What America needs is to hold to its ancient and… ![“What America needs is to hold to its ancient and well-charted course. Our country was conceived in the theory of local self-government. It has been dedicated by long practice to that wise and beneficent policy. It is the foundation principle of our system of liberty. It makes the largest promise…” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/calvin-coolidge-764_america_what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-anc_2168217.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/calvin-coolidge-764_america_what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-anc_2168217.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/calvin-coolidge-764_america_what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-anc_2168217.jpg) > “What America needs is to hold to its ancient and well-charted course. Our country was conceived in the theory of local self-government. It has been dedicated by long practice to that wise and beneficent policy. It is the foundation principle of our system of liberty. It makes the largest promise to the freedom and development of the individual. Its preservation is worth all the effort and all the sacrifice that it may cost.” [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. America should preserve its founding principle of local self‑government to protect liberty and individual growth. **In simple terms:** Protect local self‑government to ensure freedom. Key Takeaway Support community‑based governance. Themes freedom self‑government individualism patriotism Mood serious inspirational Type political historical When to use this quote - voting - community meetings - local elections - policy advocacy Key Concepts political theory civic duty constitutionalism Questions to Reflect On - How can local governance adapt to modern challenges? - What balances are needed between national and local authority? A Different Perspective Centralization can dilute local voices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [America Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-needs/) [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Dedicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedicated/) [Development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/development/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/) [Foundation Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation-principle-2493925/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Locals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/locals/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Our country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-country/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Preservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preservation/) [Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle/) [Principle Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-liberty-318090/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-government-599204/) [Self-government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-government/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [“Modern civilisation has based its specific foundation on the principle of liberty which states that man is not a mere instrument to be used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/altiero-spinelli/modern-civilisation-has-based-its-specific-foundation-on-the/) [Altiero Spinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/altiero-spinelli/) > [The people cannot look to legislation generally for success. Industry, thrift, character, are not conferred by act or resolve. Government cannot relieve from toil.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-people-cannot-look-to-legislation-generally-for-success-industry/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [We insist on producing a farm surplus, but think the government should find a profitable market for it. We overindulge in speculation, but ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/we-insist-on-producing-a-farm-surplus-but-think-the-government-should/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [There are always those who are willing to surrender local self-government and turn over their affairs to some national authority in exchange for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/there-are-always-those-who-are-willing-to-surrender-local-self/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Self-government means self support.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/self-government-means-self-support/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [No method of procedure has ever been devised by which liberty could be divorced from local self-government. No plan of centralization has ever been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/no-method-of-procedure-has-ever-been-devised-by-which-liberty-could/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [We demand entire freedom of action and then expect the government in some miraculous way to save us from the consequences of our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/we-demand-entire-freedom-of-action-and-then-expect-the-government-in/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Nations are beginning to look to some vague organization, some nebulous course of humanity, to pay their bills and tell them what to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/nations-are-beginning-to-look-to-some-vague-organization-some/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The idea of God is the type and foundation of the principle of authority and absolutism, which it is our task to destroy or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-joseph-proudhon/the-idea-of-god-is-the-type-and-foundation-of-the-principle-of/) [Pierre-Joseph Proudhon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-joseph-proudhon/) > [There is no greatness apart from self control. Development that does not include self government will only guarantee our mediocrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-cooke/there-is-no-greatness-apart-from-self-control-development-that-does/) [Graham Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-cooke/) > [Our forefathers found the evils of free thinking more to be endured than the evils of inquest or suppression. This is because thoughtful, bold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-jackson/our-forefathers-found-the-evils-of-free-thinking-more-to-be-endured/) [Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) > [China is a country with a record of continuous self-government going back 4,000 years, the only society that has achieved this. One must start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/china-is-a-country-with-a-record-of-continuous-self-government-going/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [Local self-government…is the life-blood of liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lothrop-motley/local-self-government-is-the-life-blood-of-liberty/) [John Lothrop Motley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lothrop-motley/) > [Self government is no less essential to the development, growth, and happiness of the individual than to the nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-douglas/self-government-is-no-less-essential-to-the-development-growth-and/) [William H. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-douglas/) > [May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of self-government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/may-it-be-to-the-world-to-assume-the-blessings-and-security-of-self/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More by Calvin Coolidge > [Not all those who are attempting to conduct successful businesses are profiteers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/not-all-those-who-are-attempting-to-conduct-successful-businesses-are/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [A wholesome regard for the memory of the great men of long ago is the best assurance to a people of a continuation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/a-wholesome-regard-for-the-memory-of-the-great-men-of-long-ago-is-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/i-have-noticed-that-nothing-i-have-never-said-ever-did-me-any-harm/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“It has been my observation in life that, if one will only exercise the patience to wait, his wants are likely to be filled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-has-been-my-observation-in-life-that-if-one-will-only-exercise-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The man who builds a factory builds a temple, that the man who works there worships there, and to each is due, not scorn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-man-who-builds-a-factory-builds-a-temple-that-the-man-who-works/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The property of the people belongs to the people. To take it from them by taxation cannot be justified except by urgent public necessity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-property-of-the-people-belongs-to-the-people-to-take-it-from-them/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-nation-which-forgets-its-defenders-will-itself-be-forgotten/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/no-person-was-ever-honored-for-what-he-received-honor-has-been-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Nations are beginning to look to some vague organization, some nebulous course of humanity, to pay their bills and tell them what to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/nations-are-beginning-to-look-to-some-vague-organization-some/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The government can supply no substitute for enterprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-government-can-supply-no-substitute-for-enterprise/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“While we should not refuse to spend and be spent in the service of our country, it is hazardous to attempt what we feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/while-we-should-not-refuse-to-spend-and-be-spent-in-the-service-of/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [One of the greatest dangers to peace lies in the economic pressure to which people find themselves subjected. One of the most practical things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/one-of-the-greatest-dangers-to-peace-lies-in-the-economic-pressure-to/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [War is the rule of force, and peace is the reign of law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/war-is-the-rule-of-force-and-peace-is-the-reign-of-law/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Advertising ministers to the spiritual side of trade. It is great power that has been entrusted to your keeping which charges you with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/advertising-ministers-to-the-spiritual-side-of-trade-it-is-great/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [We cannot permit any inquisition either within or without the law or apply any religious test to the holding of office. The mind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/we-cannot-permit-any-inquisition-either-within-or-without-the-law-or/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) [Explore all 376 Calvin Coolidge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What America needs is to hold to its ancient and well-charted course. Our country was conceived in the theory of local self-government. It has been dedicated by long practice to that wise and beneficent policy. It is the foundation principle of our system of liberty. It makes the largest promise to the freedom and development of the individual. Its preservation is worth all the effort and all the sacrifice that it may cost.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Calvin Coolidge" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-ancient-and-well-charted-course/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "America" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-ancient-and-well-charted-course/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/calvin-coolidge-764_america_what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-anc_2168217.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/calvin-coolidge-764_america_what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-anc_2168217.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/calvin-coolidge-764_america_what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-anc_2168217.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What America needs is to hold to its ancient and well-charted course. Our country was conceived in the…” — Calvin Coolidge", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Calvin Coolidge", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What America needs is to hold...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-ancient-and-well-charted-course/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/what-america-needs-is-to-hold-to-its-ancient-and-well-charted-course/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```