Andrew Jackson Quotes About Politics, Life and History

These Andrew Jackson quotes shed some light on who he was as a politician, a leader, and a man of thought.

However, there are many other interesting aspects to the man who became our 7th President of the United States, and the ‘father of the modern Democratic Party.’ 

Who exactly was President Andrew Jackson, and what are some of his most famous quotes?

Andrew Jackson was a prisoner of war during the Revolutionary War.

He was the only member of his family of four to survive and was taken in by his uncles.

Studying law and becoming a self-taught lawyer occupied his youth, and he passed the bar at 20.

If you have watched Hamilton, then you are familiar with Aaron Burr and his infamous duels.

Jackson and Burr were friends.

They served in congress together and also shared a penchant for dueling.

Jackson even had a duel with Charles Dickinson.

Despite being known as the best shot in Tennessee, Andrew Jackson was shot in the chest and survived. 

Keep reading to learn more interesting things about the man who kept a giant wheel of cheese in the White House lobby.

Don’t forget to also check out these Ulysses S. Grant quotes that keep us calm under pressure.

Check out our most popular quote article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily inspiration. 

Check out our entire collection of motivational quotes here. 

Andrew Jackson quotes about our country and her citizens

1. “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

2. “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

3. “The Bible is The Rock on which this Republic rests.” — Andrew Jackson

4. “All the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing, and a mere bubble, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous Judiciary.” — Andrew Jackson

5. “The planter, the farmer, the mechanic, and the laborer… form the great body of the people of the United States, they are the bone and sinew of the countrymen who love liberty and desire nothing but equal rights and equal laws.” — Andrew Jackson

6. “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

7. “Americans are not a perfect people, but we are called to a perfect mission.” — Andrew Jackson

8. “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

9. “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

10. “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

11. “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

12. “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

Andrew Jackson quotes about government

13. “There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses.” — Andrew Jackson

14. “It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes.” — Andrew Jackson

15. “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

16. “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

If you’re enjoying these quotes, make sure to check out our collection of political quotes that show all perspectives.

17. “The people are the government, administering it by their agents; they are the government, the sovereign power.” — Andrew Jackson

18. “As long as our government is administered for the good of the people and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of persons and of property, liberty of conscience and of the press, it will be worth defending.” — Andrew Jackson

19. “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

20. “The duty of government is to leave commerce to its own capital and credit as well as all other branches of business, protecting all in their legal pursuits, granting exclusive privileges to none.” — Andrew Jackson

21. “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

22. “In England, the judges should have the 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

23. “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

Andrew Jackson quotes about states leaving the union and war

24. “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

25. “Nullification means insurrection and war; and the other states have a right to put it down.” — Andrew Jackson

26. “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

27. “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

28. “War is a blessing compared with national degradation.” — Andrew Jackson
If you’re enjoying these quotes, you’ll love our collection of war quotes from writers, politicians, and more.

29. “The Constitution and the laws are supreme and the Union indissoluble.” — Andrew Jackson

30. “Disunion by force is treason.” — Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson quotes that we can all to navigate life

31. “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

32. “Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” — Andrew Jackson

33. “I have always been afraid of banks.” — Andrew Jackson

34. “Fear not, the people may be deluded for a moment, but cannot be corrupted.” — Andrew Jackson

35. “Elevate those guns a little lower.” — Andrew Jackson

36. “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

37. “Mr. Van Buren, your friends may be leaving you, but my friends never leave me.” — Andrew Jackson

38. “One man with courage makes a majority.” — Andrew Jackson

39. “Never take counsel of your fears.” — Andrew Jackson

Philosophical Andrew Jackson quotes

40. “There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it.” — Andrew Jackson

41. “Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.” — Andrew Jackson

42. “No one need think that the world can be ruled without blood. The civil sword shall and must be red and bloody.” — Andrew Jackson

43. “Heaven will be no heaven to me if I do not meet my wife there.” — Andrew Jackson

44. “To the victors belong the spoils.” — Andrew Jackson

45. “You must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.” — Andrew Jackson

46. “I’ve got big shoes to fill. This is my chance to do something. I have to seize the moment.” — Andrew Jackson

47. “The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that would operate with perfect equality.” — Andrew Jackson

48. “I am a Senator against my wishes and feelings, which I regret more than any other of my life.” — Andrew Jackson

49. “I would sincerely regret, and which never shall happen whilst I am in office, a military guard around the President.” — Andrew Jackson

50. “Be good children, all of you, and strive to be ready when the change comes.” — Andrew Jackson

More Andrew Jackson quotes

51. “It’s a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word.” – Andrew Jackson

52. “When I have suffered sufficiently, the Lord will then take me to himself.” – Andrew Jackson

53. “You are a den of vipers and thieves. I intend to rout you out, and by the eternal God, I will rout you out.” – Andrew Jackson

54. “If Congress has the right under the constitution to issue paper money, it was given them to be used by themselves, not to be delegated to individuals or corporations.” – Andrew Jackson

55. “I was born for the storm, and a calm does not suit me.” – Andrew Jackson

56. “Oh, do not cry – be good children and we will all meet in heaven.” – Andrew Jackson

What did you learn from these Andrew Jackson quotes?

Just like our country is not a perfect union, neither was Andrew Jackson.

He made his wealth on the backs of slaves who worked the cotton fields.

His signature on the Indian Removal Act in 1830 led to the death of many Native Americans on the Trail of Tears.

Despite this though, he adopted two Native American sons and was known to be friendly with other Native Americans.

When asked what his biggest regrets were though, Jackson reportedly said, “I have only two regrets: I didn’t shoot Henry Clay and I didn’t hang John C.”

Jackson and Clay were political opponents, and Jackson feared that Clay would be a detriment to America if it meant that he could advance his own initiatives.

Calhoun would resign as Vice President due to the political fight Jackson brought his way.

There is no denying that his life and actions played an integral part in the philosophy of this country.

What’s your biggest takeaway from these Andrew Jackson quotes and sayings?

Do you have any other inspirational quotes to add?

Let us know in the comment section below.