James Abram Garfield was the 20th president of the United States, serving from March 4, 1881, until his death by assassination six and a half months later. He had the second shortest tenure as president of the United States. He served as a member of the Ohio State Senate from 1859 to 1861. He is the only sitting member of the United States House of Representatives to be elected to the presidency.
James Abram Garfield was born the youngest of five children on November 19, 1831. He was born to a very poor family. After graduating from Williams College, Garfield studied law and became an attorney before entering politics as a Republican in 1857. Garfield opposed Confederate secession and served as a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Garfield’s accomplishments as president included a resurgence of presidential authority against senatorial courtesy in executive appointments, purging corruption in the Post Office, and appointing a U.S. Supreme Court justice. He was assassinated on July 2, 1881, by a delusional office-seeker who was disappointed with Garfield’s presidency.
1 Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. -James A. Garfield
In any society, the nature of the authorities who rule them is a reflection of the people themselves. The people deserve the ones who rule them with responsibility.
2 Whoever controls the volume of money in our country is absolute master of all industry and commerce. -James A. Garfield
Whoever has control over the country’s vast sum of money, controls its commerce and economics. It is money that drives and pulls the strings of a nation.
3 Ideas are the great warriors of the world, and a war that has no idea behind it is simply a brutality. -James A. Garfield
It is ideas that have changed the world. Throughout history, it has always been ideals and principles that have led people and society to greatness. And a war that does not abide by this, completely devoid of principles is just brutality.
4 If the power to do hard work is not a skill, it’s the best possible substitute for it. -James A. Garfield
What you need in life is hard work. Even if you do not have the skills and talents required, you can always work hard to surpass those who have them.
5 I love agitation and investigation and glory in defending unpopular truth against popular error. -James A. Garfield
Stand up for what’s right even if no one stands with you. It is never about how many people support you, but how determined you are to defend what is right. The truth always has to be protected no matter what.
6 The divorce between Church and State ought to be absolute. -James A. Garfield
The separation of church and state has to be of prime importance. A democracy cannot survive if there’s religious tension throughout the nation or if the government is under the influence of religious bigots.
7 This nation is too great to look for mere revenge, but for security of the future, I would do everything. -James A. Garfield
Be ready to do anything that’s necessary for your nation’s security. Vengeance is a very weak motivation. But the protection of your nation is something that can give you the courage to do whatever’s necessary.
8 If you are not too large for the place you occupy, you are too small for it. -James A. Garfield
Always strive to be the best in whatever you are doing. Your final goals should be to be the best in the field that you are working in and not merely an average performer.
9 He who controls the money supply of a nation controls the nation. -James A. Garfield
Someone who has control over the resources and supplies of a nation inevitably has control over the nation. Money and finances are what run a country.
10 The truth will set you free, but first, it will make you miserable. -James A. Garfield
The truth has the power to set your free. But sometimes, it may be so bitter that it will hurt you. The truth eventually comes out, but not without its consequences.
11 A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face and tell him he is a Devil. -James A. Garfield
Bravery is when you can call a spade a spade. One needs the courage to look at someone and call them out for what they really are instead of mincing their words.
12 If wrinkles must be written on our brows, let them not be written upon the heart, the spirit should never grow old. -James A. Garfield
Age is just a number. What really matters is that you stay young at heart. Even if your external appearance is perceived old, never let that get to you. Keep your spirit young and burning.
13 Things don’t turn up in this world until somebody turns them up. -James A. Garfield
Things don’t naturally change in this world. The course of history does not change on its own. People work for it, they bring about revolutions. Unless and until someone stands up for it, nothing in the world is going to change.
14 Ideas control the world. -James A. Garfield
It is ideas that control the world. Throughout history, great changes, great art, everything of significance has always stemmed from simple ideas. Ideas survive and are reborn.
15 Right reason is stronger than force. -James A. Garfield
If you’re forced to do something, you’ll never find enough motivation to do it. A right reason to do something is always a stronger motivation than someone forcing you to do it.
15 Best James A. Garfield Quotes To Read!
1. Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. -James A. Garfield
2. Whoever controls the volume of money in our country is absolute master of all industry and commerce. -James A. Garfield
3. Ideas are the great warriors of the world, and a war that has no idea behind it is simply a brutality. -James A. Garfield
4. If the power to do hard work is not a skill, it’s the best possible substitute for it. -James A. Garfield
5. I love agitation and investigation and glory in defending unpopular truth against popular error. -James A. Garfield
6. The divorce between Church and State ought to be absolute. -James A. Garfield
7. This nation is too great to look for mere revenge, but for security of the future, I would do everything. -James A. Garfield
8. If you are not too large for the place you occupy, you are too small for it. -James A. Garfield
9. He who controls the money supply of a nation controls the nation. -James A. Garfield
10. The truth will set you free, but first, it will make you miserable. -James A. Garfield
11. A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face and tell him he is a Devil. -James A. Garfield
12. If wrinkles must be written on our brows, let them not be written upon the heart, the spirit should never grow old. -James A. Garfield
13. Things don’t turn up in this world until somebody turns them up. -James A. Garfield
14. Ideas control the world. -James A. Garfield
15. Right reason is stronger than force. -James A. Garfield
