Andrew Jackson Quotes

Powerful Andrew Jackson for Daily Growth

About Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845), the seventh President of the United States, was a prominent political figure in American history, known for his strong leadership and influential policies. Born in the Waxhaw Settlement on the border of North and South Carolina, Jackson's exact birthdate and location are uncertain due to the colonial records loss during the Revolutionary War. Raised by his Irish-immigrant mother and Scottish-raised father, Jackson had limited formal education but showed a keen interest in politics from an early age. At seventeen, he fought in the American Revolutionary War alongside his older brother. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812 solidified Jackson's reputation as a military hero. Jackson's political career began in 1796 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served as a senator from Tennessee and as a Supreme Court Justice before being elected President in 1829. As president, Jackson implemented the Indian Removal Act, which led to the forced relocation of Native American tribes, most notably the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands to Oklahoma (the "Trail of Tears"). Jackson's presidency also marked the beginning of the modern political party system in the United States. His Democratic Party opposed the nationalist policies of the rival Whig Party, and his presidency saw significant political polarization. Post-presidency, Jackson retired to his plantation, The Hermitage, in Tennessee, where he wrote his memoirs. Known for his strong character and decisive leadership, Andrew Jackson is remembered as a pivotal figure in American history. His legacy continues to influence contemporary politics and discussions about the role of executive power.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"One man with courage is a majority."

This quote by Andrew Jackson signifies that one individual with courage can, in essence, sway the opinion or will of a larger group, as their conviction and determination can inspire and influence others. It underscores the power of an individual's courage to bring about change and encourages us all to have the courage to stand up for what we believe in, even when faced with adversity.


"I never was a politician, and I never pretended to be one."

This quote highlights the non-traditional nature of Andrew Jackson's approach to politics during his time as President from 1829 to 1837. He emphasizes that he is not a typical politician, possibly suggesting an authenticity or independence in his actions. The quotation serves to illustrate that Jackson viewed himself as a man of the people and an outsider to the political establishment, which may have endeared him to some while causing tension with others within the political sphere.


"The issue of my day is the same as the issue of every other day: Right versus wrong."

This quote by Andrew Jackson suggests that the central struggle throughout history, in every era, has been a battle between righteousness (Right) and unjust actions (Wrong). Essentially, Jackson is stating that the fundamental moral dilemmas that have shaped societies throughout time, remain relevant today as people continue to grapple with ethical choices.


"John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it!"

This quote by Andrew Jackson expresses a spirit of defiance towards the Supreme Court's ruling, personified in Chief Justice John Marshall at that time. Essentially, Jackson is saying that although the court has issued its decision, he will not necessarily comply or enforce it if he disagrees with it. It highlights a tense moment in American history where the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive was being tested, with Andrew Jackson taking an assertive stance against what he perceived as overreach by the Supreme Court.


"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

This quote suggests that according to Andrew Jackson, the U.S. Constitution is designed to govern a nation comprised of moral and religious individuals. He implies that the principles and values inherent within these qualities are essential for the successful functioning of the democratic system established by the Constitution. In his perspective, if the population lacks these characteristics, the Constitution may be insufficient or inadequate as a governing document. This quote underscores the belief that the moral fiber of the citizens is critical to the well-being and stability of a democracy.


Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error.

- Andrew Jackson

Will, Right, Slightly, Salt

Fear not, the people may be deluded for a moment, but cannot be corrupted.

- Andrew Jackson

May, Cannot, Deluded, Corrupted

Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.

- Andrew Jackson

Precious, Country, Citizen, Gains

The safety of the republic being the supreme law, and Texas having offered us the key to the safety of our country from all foreign intrigues and diplomacy, I say accept the key... and bolt the door at once.

- Andrew Jackson

Law, Door, Country, Foreign

Mischief springs from the power which the moneyed interest derives from a paper currency which they are able to control, from the multitude of corporations with exclusive privileges... which are employed altogether for their benefit.

- Andrew Jackson

Mischief, Privileges, Which, Multitude

I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office.

- Andrew Jackson

Politics, Country, Been, Corruption

No one need think that the world can be ruled without blood. The civil sword shall and must be red and bloody.

- Andrew Jackson

Think, Need, Shall, Sword

To the victors belong the spoils.

- Andrew Jackson

Belong, Victors, Spoils

The Bible is the rock on which this Republic rests.

- Andrew Jackson

Bible, Rock, Which, Rests

It was settled by the Constitution, the laws, and the whole practice of the government that the entire executive power is vested in the President of the United States.

- Andrew Jackson

Practice, United States, President

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes.

- Andrew Jackson

Government, Powerful, Too, Purposes

The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts in the hour of danger.

- Andrew Jackson

Coward, Country, More, Deserts

Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.

- Andrew Jackson

Sometimes, Blood, Obtain, Spilled

If the Union is once severed, the line of separation will grow wider and wider, and the controversies which are now debated and settled in the halls of legislation will then be tried in fields of battle and determined by the sword.

- Andrew Jackson

Grow, Which, Wider, Controversies

I would sincerely regret, and which never shall happen whilst I am in office, a military guard around the President.

- Andrew Jackson

Happen, Sincerely, Which, Whilst

I feel in the depths of my soul that it is the highest, most sacred, and most irreversible part of my obligation to preserve the union of these states, although it may cost me my life.

- Andrew Jackson

My Life, Cost, May, Irreversible

Our government is founded upon the intelligence of the people. I for one do not despair of the republic. I have great confidence in the virtue of the great majority of the people, and I cannot fear the result.

- Andrew Jackson

Confidence, Republic, Great Majority

I cannot consent that my mortal body shall be laid in a repository prepared for an Emperor or a King my republican feelings and principles forbid it the simplicity of our system of government forbids it.

- Andrew Jackson

King, Prepared, Laid, Emperor

Nullification means insurrection and war; and the other states have a right to put it down.

- Andrew Jackson

War, Other, Means, Insurrection

Money is power, and in that government which pays all the public officers of the states will all political power be substantially concentrated.

- Andrew Jackson

Power, Will, Which, Political Power

There is nothing that I shudder at more than the idea of a separation of the Union. Should such an event ever happen, which I fervently pray God to avert, from that date I view our liberty gone.

- Andrew Jackson

Date, Happen, Which, Fervently

The great constitutional corrective in the hands of the people against usurpation of power, or corruption by their agents is the right of suffrage; and this when used with calmness and deliberation will prove strong enough.

- Andrew Jackson

Strong, Hands, Prove, Agents

The people are the government, administering it by their agents; they are the government, the sovereign power.

- Andrew Jackson

Power, Government, People, Agents

Unless you become more watchful in your states and check the spirit of monopoly and thirst for exclusive privileges you will in the end find that... the control over your dearest interests has passed into the hands of these corporations.

- Andrew Jackson

Hands, Privileges, Dearest, Watchful

You must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.

- Andrew Jackson

Wish, Price, Pay, Blessing

Democracy shows not only its power in reforming governments, but in regenerating a race of men and this is the greatest blessing of free governments.

- Andrew Jackson

Race, Reforming, Governments, Greatest Blessing

War is a blessing compared with national degradation.

- Andrew Jackson

War, National, Degradation, Blessing

In England the judges should have independence to protect the people against the crown. Here the judges should not be independent of the people, but be appointed for not more than seven years. The people would always re-elect the good judges.

- Andrew Jackson

England, Here, Always, Judges

Every diminution of the public burdens arising from taxation gives to individual enterprise increased power and furnishes to all the members of our happy confederacy new motives for patriotic affection and support.

- Andrew Jackson

New, Confederacy, Patriotic, Burdens

We are beginning a new era in our government. I cannot too strongly urge the necessity of a rigid economy and an inflexible determination not to enlarge the income beyond the real necessities of the government.

- Andrew Jackson

New, Income, Necessities, New Era

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