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Calvin Coolidge Quotes about Character

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We do not need more material development, we need more spiritual development. We do not need more intellectual power, we need more moral power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. We do not need more

We do not need more material development, we need more spiritual development. We do not need more intellectual power, we need more moral power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. We do not need more government, we need more culture. We do not need more law, we need more religion. We do not need more of the things that are seen, we need more of the things that are unseen. It is on that side of life that it is desirable to put the emphasis at the present time. If that side be strengthened, the other side will take care of itself.

Calvin Coolidge
Spiritual, Character, Government
Calvin Coolidge (1925). “America's Need for Education: And Other Educational Addresses”

There is no surer road to destruction than prosperity without character.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Prosperity, Destruction
Calvin Coolidge (2001). “The Price of Freedom: Speeches and Addresses”, p.64, The Minerva Group, Inc.

The people cannot look to legislation generally for success. Industry, thrift, character, are not conferred by act or resolve. Government cannot relieve from toil. It can provide no substitute for the rewards of service. It can, of course, care for the defective and recognize distinguished merit. The normal must care for themselves. Self-government means self-support.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Mean, Government
Calvin Coolidge (1924). “Calvin Coolidge, His Ideals of Citizenship as Revealed Through His Speeches and Writings”

Money will not purchase character or good government.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Government
Calvin Coolidge (2001). “The Quotable Calvin Coolidge: Sensible Words for a New Century”, Images from the Past Incorporated

It is not the enactment, but the observance of laws, that creates the character of a nation.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Law, Nations
Speech on the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 5, 1926.

Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Self, Wealth

Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments. This is both historically and logically true. Of course the government can help to sustain ideals and can create institutions through which they can be the better observed, but their source by their very nature is in the people. The people have to bear their own responsibilities. There is no method by which that burden can be shifted to the government. It is not the enactment, but the observance of laws, that creates the character of a nation.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Responsibility, Government
"Speech on the Occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence". en.wikisource.org. July 05, 1926.

Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil. Our great hope lies in developing what is good.

Calvin Coolidge
Hope, Lying, Character
Calvin Coolidge (1924). “Calvin Coolidge, His Ideals of Citizenship as Revealed Through His Speeches and Writings”

What we need in appointive positions is men of knowledge and experience who have sufficient character to resist temptations.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Men, Temptation

America has but one main problem -- the character of the men and women it shall produce.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Men, America

Character is the only secure foundation of the state.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Foundation, States
Calvin Coolidge (1924). “Calvin Coolidge, His Ideals of Citizenship as Revealed Through His Speeches and Writings”

If a painting of a tree was only the exact representation of the original, so that it looked just like the tree, there would be no reason for making it; we might as well look at the tree itself. But the painting, if it is of the right sort, gives something that neither a photograph nor a view of the tree conveys. It emphasizes something of character, quality, individuality. We are not lost in looking at thorns and defects; we catch a vision of the grandeur and beauty of a king of the forest.

Calvin Coolidge
Kings, Character, Views

It has not been my fortune to know very much of Freemasonry, but I have had the great fortune to know many Freemasons and have been able in that way to judge the tree by its fruit. I know of your high ideals. I have seen that you hold your meetings in the presence of the open Bible, and I know that men who observe that formality have high sentiments of citizenship, of worth, and character. That is the strength of our Commonwealth and nation.

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Men, Judging

We do not need more knowledge, we need more character!

Calvin Coolidge
Character, Needs, More Knowledge
Calvin Coolidge (2001). “The Price of Freedom: Speeches and Addresses”, p.390, The Minerva Group, Inc.

There has been abroad many times some criticism of our Government, of our people, and our ways, but that has demonstrated, I think, that when they are in real trouble and real difficulty over there, they turn to us as a nation that will be fair with them--one in whose judgment and in whose character they can rely; and that not withstanding differences that have seemed to exist, they are willing to abide by the faith that they have in us, and I think that is a very substantial accomplishment.

Calvin Coolidge
Real, Character, Pride