1. “It would be judicious to act with magnanimity towards a prostrate foe.” – Zachary Taylor
2. “I regret nothing, but I am sorry that I am about to leave my friends.” – Zachary Taylor
3. “The idea that I should become President seems to me too visionary to require a serious answer. It has never entered my head, nor is it likely to enter the head of any other person.” – Zachary Taylor
4. “The only ground of hope for the continuance of our free institutions is in the proper moral and religious training of the children, that they may be prepared to discharge aright the duties of men and citizens.” – Zachary Taylor
5. “I have no private purpose to accomplish, no party objectives to build up, no enemies to punish-nothing to serve but my country.” – Zachary Taylor
6. “I have always done my duty. I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me.” – Zachary Taylor
7. “In conclusion I congratulate you, my fellow-citizens, upon the high state of prosperity to which the goodness of Divine Providence has conducted our common country. Let us invoke a continuance of the same protecting care which has led us from small beginnings to the eminence we this day occupy.” – Zachary Taylor
8. “For more than a quarter of a century on active duty, my house has been my tent, and my home the battlefield.” – Zachary Taylor
9. “I know enough of the family life of officers. I scarcely know my own children or they me.” – Zachary Taylor
10. “Soldiers, I intend to stay here, not only as long as a man remains, but as long as a piece of a man is left.” – Zachary Taylor
11. “In no case can I permit myself to be a candidate of any party or yield myself to any party schemes.” – Zachary Taylor
12. “Economy I consider a virtue & should be practiced by all; there is certainly no way in which money can be laid out than in the education of children.” – Zachary Taylor
13. “In all disputes between conflicting governments, it is our interest not less than our duty to remain strictly neutral.” – Zachary Taylor
14. “I hope some compromise will be entered into between the two parties, slavery & antislavery, which will have the effect of allaying violent passions on both sides.” – Zachary Taylor
15. “Never judge a stranger by his clothes.” – Zachary Taylor
16. “My life has been devoted to arms, yet I look upon war at all times, and under all circumstances, as a national calamity to be avoided if compatible with national honor.” – Zachary Taylor
17. “A strong reputation is like a good bonfire. When you have one kindled it’s easy to keep the flame burning, even if someone comes along and tries to piss on it. But if you fall asleep and neglect it…You’ll wake up with ashes.” – Zachary Taylor
18. “Fear is the tax that conscience pays to guilt.” – Zachary Taylor
19. “The confidence and respect shown by my countrymen in calling me to be the Chief Magistrate of a Republic holding a high rank among the nations of the earth have inspired me with feelings of the most profound gratitude.” – Zachary Taylor
20. “I am not a party candidate, and if elected cannot be President of a party, but the President of the whole people.” – Zachary Taylor
21. “Stop your nonsense and drink your whiskey!” – Zachary Taylor
22. “My duty to the army and to the republic whose battles we were waging forbade me assuming a position of seeming hostility to any portion of the brave men under my command.” – Zachary Taylor
23. “I have never yet exercised the privilege of voting, but had I been called upon at the last presidential election to do so, I should most certainly have cast my vote for Mr. Clay.” – Zachary Taylor
24. “Let us invoke a continuance of the same protecting care which has led us from small beginnings to the eminence we this day occupy.” – Zachary Taylor
25. “May the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country’s peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.” – Zachary Taylor
26. “In the discharge of duties my guide will be the Constitution, which I this day swear to preserve, protect, and defend.” – Zachary Taylor
27. “The power given by the Constitution to the Executive to interpose his veto is a high conservative power; but in my opinion it should never be exercised except in cases of clear violation of the Constitution, or manifest haste and want of due consideration by Congress.” – Zachary Taylor
28. “I would not be the mere President of a Party. I feel bound to administer the government untrammeled by party schemes.” – Zachary Taylor
29. “Fear is the tax that conscience pays to guilt.” – Zachary Taylor
