James A. Garfield Quotes

Powerful James A. Garfield for Daily Growth

About James A. Garfield

James Abram Garfield, born on November 19, 1831, in a log cabin in Moreland Hills, Ohio, was the 20th President of the United States from March 4, 1881, to his death by assassination six and a half months later. Garfield, the third of five children, was raised in a family of modest means but strong values. His father, Abram Garfield, was a Presbyterian minister, and his mother, Eliza Ballou Garfield, ran a school in their home. The influence of religion and education was deeply ingrained in young James, shaping him to become an educated, hardworking individual. After working odd jobs to help support his family, Garfield attended college at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (later known as Hiram College), where he graduated in 1856. He then went on to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1859. In 1858, Garfield entered politics, serving as a member of the Ohio Senate for one term before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1859 until his presidency. During his tenure, he gained a reputation as an eloquent orator and a dedicated public servant. In 1880, Garfield won the Republican presidential nomination, defeating James G. Blaine in a contentious convention. His inauguration on March 4, 1881, marked the first time an Ohioan held the presidency. However, his term was cut short when he was fatally wounded by an assassin on July 2, 1881. Despite his brief tenure, Garfield's legacy endures. His quotes reflect a deep commitment to education, integrity, and service, as demonstrated in statements like, "A great deal of time is spent listening to what is said, but little in hearing what is meant." And, "I will not even reply to the slander of my enemies... Goodness is the only investment that never fails."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage."

This quote emphasizes that many individuals possess untapped talents and abilities, but they fail to realize or make use of them due to a lack of courage. Fear, insecurity, or self-doubt can often hinder one's potential from being fully actualized. By overcoming these barriers and displaying courage, individuals are more likely to unleash their talents and contribute meaningfully to society.


"There are two things in life for which we are never fully prepared — death and taxes."

The quote underscores the inevitability and universality of two significant aspects in human life: death and taxes. It suggests that these elements, regardless of personal readiness or circumstance, will always be present in our lives. This quote highlights the universal nature of human experience and serves as a reminder to embrace life's uncertainties with wisdom and acceptance.


"Men are not punished for their sins, but by them."

The quote suggests that the consequences of one's actions (or sins) are what truly harm or hinder them, rather than divine punishment. It implies that people learn and grow from their mistakes, as they deal with the problems their actions have caused. The statement is a reminder that our actions shape our experiences and outcomes in life.


"It is not the office we fill, but what we do with the opportunities that come our way."

This quote by James A. Garfield emphasizes the importance of personal actions and choices over one's role or position in life. It suggests that the true measure of a person lies not in their job title or the responsibilities they hold, but rather in how they utilize the opportunities and experiences they encounter. In essence, it encourages individuals to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way, regardless of their status or profession, to create meaningful impact and personal growth.


"Every man who repeats the dogma of millenniums without originality or who, merely because he sees it written and printed, blindly believes it himself, inwardly obeys its mandates as a slave ought to obey his master, not as a rational being and a true man."

This quote by James A. Garfield emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and originality over mindless adherence to tradition or established beliefs. He warns against blind obedience to dogmas that have been repeated for millennia without questioning their validity, suggesting instead that individuals should think rationally and act as autonomous beings rather than mere followers or slaves. The message encourages readers to form their own opinions based on reason and evidence, instead of simply accepting what they are told or written without question.


The ideal college is Mark Hopkins on one end of a log and a student on the other.

- James A. Garfield

College, Other, Hopkins, Log

Few men in our history have ever obtained the Presidency by planning to obtain it.

- James A. Garfield

Presidency, Obtain, Ever, Few Men

A law is not a law without coercion behind it.

- James A. Garfield

Law, Behind, Without, Coercion

Ideas are the great warriors of the world, and a war that has no idea behind it, is simply a brutality.

- James A. Garfield

World, Behind, Idea, Warriors

Suicide is not a remedy.

- James A. Garfield

Suicide, Remedy

I am a poor hater.

- James A. Garfield

I Am, Poor, Am, Hater

Territory is but the body of a nation. The people who inhabit its hills and valleys are its soul, its spirit, its life.

- James A. Garfield

Soul, Nation, Inhabit, Hills

I love to deal with doctrines and events. The contests of men about men I greatly dislike.

- James A. Garfield

Love, Deal, I Love, Contests

The sin of slavery is one of which it may be said that without the shedding of blood there is no remission.

- James A. Garfield

Slavery, May, Which, Remission

Poverty is uncomfortable; but nine times out of ten the best thing that can happen to a young man is to be tossed overboard and compelled to sink or swim.

- James A. Garfield

Young, Happen, Nine, Tossed

I mean to make myself a man, and if I succeed in that, I shall succeed in everything else.

- James A. Garfield

Myself, Mean, Else, Everything Else

A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck.

- James A. Garfield

Luck, Chance, Ton, Pound

Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.

- James A. Garfield

Next, Which, Nor, Maintained

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

Face, Devil, Tell, Brave Man

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

Grow, Spirit, Old, Brow

Right reason is stronger than force.

- James A. Garfield

Stronger, Reason, Than, Right Reason

The President is the last person in the world to know what the people really want and think.

- James A. Garfield

World, Think, Last, President

I am trying to do two things: dare to be a radical and not a fool, which is a matter of no small difficulty.

- James A. Garfield

Small, Radical, Which, Dare

Justice and goodwill will outlast passion.

- James A. Garfield

Justice, Will, Goodwill, Outlast

Man cannot live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter.

- James A. Garfield

Funny, Alone, Bread, Peanut

The civil service can never be placed on a satisfactory basis until it is regulated by law.

- James A. Garfield

Law, Never, Placed, Civil Service

Nobody but radicals have ever accomplished anything in a great crisis.

- James A. Garfield

Crisis, Ever, Radicals, Accomplished

If the power to do hard work is not a skill, it's the best possible substitute for it.

- James A. Garfield

Work, Hard Work, Best, Skill

I have had many troubles in my life, but the worst of them never came.

- James A. Garfield

My Life, Never, Came, Troubles

Whoever controls the volume of money in any country is absolute master of all industry and commerce.

- James A. Garfield

Country, Controls, Volume, Master

All free governments are managed by the combined wisdom and folly of the people.

- James A. Garfield

Free, Folly, Governments, Combined

There can be no permanent disfranchised peasantry in the United States.

- James A. Garfield

United, United States, Permanent

The chief duty of government is to keep the peace and stand out of the sunshine of the people.

- James A. Garfield

Sunshine, Government, Chief, Duty

Things don't turn up in this world until somebody turns them up.

- James A. Garfield

World, Things, Until, Turns

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.

- James A. Garfield

Truth, Will, Set, Miserable

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