th US President who assumed office in 1850 and served as the country’s president until 1853. Interestingly, he was also the last White House member who was also a part of the Whig Party. He was also the 12th Vice President of the country before his presidency between 1848 and 1850.
An instrumental part of the passing of the Compromise of 1850, Fillmore was also a successful lawyer and a popular national figure even after his time in office. However, he was also, on several occasions, ridiculed by politicians, analysts, and the general public.
In 1874, he passed away, leaving his followers with some of the most vital quotes that can be read to understand history as well as integrate into one’s life. Let’s take a look at what the Millard Fillmore quotes entail:
The Most Fascinating & Noteworthy Millard Fillmore quotes
1. “It is not strange… to mistake change for progress.” – Millard Fillmore
2. “An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory.” – Millard Fillmore
3. “Let us remember that revolutions do not always establish freedom. Our own free institutions were not the offspring of our revolution. They existed before.”– Millard Fillmore
4. “Church and state should be separate, not only in form, but fact – religion and politics should not be mingled.” – Millard Fillmore
5. “The Masonic fraternity tramples upon our rights, defeats the administration of justice, and bids defiance to every government which it cannot control.” – Millard Fillmore
6. “God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are not responsible, and we must endure it, till we can get rid of it without destroying the last hope of free government in the world.” – Millard Fillmore
7. “God knows I detest slavery but it is an existing evil, and we must endure it and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the Constitution.” – Millard Fillmore
8. “The ability to produce every necessity of life renders us independent in war as well as in peace.” – Millard Fillmore
9. “I am tolerant of all creeds. Yet if any sect suffered itself to be used for political objects I would meet it by political opposition. In my view church and state should be separate, not only in form, but fact. Religion and politics should not be mingled.” – Millard Fillmore
10. “The law is the only sure protection of the weak, and the only efficient restraint upon the strong.” – Millard Fillmore
11. “The man who can look upon a crisis without being willing to offer himself upon the altar of his country is not for public trust.” – Millard Fillmore
12. “Upon you, fellow-citizens, as the representatives of the States and the people, is wisely devolved the legislative power.” – Millard Fillmore
13. “May God save the country, for it is evident that the people will not.” – Millard Fillmore
14. “Nations, like individuals in a state of nature, are equal and independent, possessing certain rights and owing certain duties to each other.” – Millard Fillmore
15. “The nourishment from barbecue is palatable.” – Millard Fillmore
16. “God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil … and we must endure it and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the Constitution.” – Millard Fillmore
17. “It would be judicious to act with magnanimity towards a prostrate foe.” – Millard Fillmore
18. “In less than ten years her Government was changed from a republic to an empire, and finally, after shedding rivers of blood, foreign powers restored her exiled dynasty and exhausted Europe sought peace and repose in the unquestioned ascendency of monarchical principles. Let us learn wisdom from her example. Let us remember that revolutions do not always establish freedom. Our own free institutions were not the offspring of our Revolution. They existed before. They were planted in the free charters of self-government under which the English colonies grew up, and our Revolution only freed us from the dominion of a foreign power whose government was at variance with those institutions. But European nations have had no such training for self-government, and every effort to establish it by bloody revolutions has been, and must, without that preparation, continue to be a failure. Liberty, unregulated by law, degenerates into anarchy, which soon becomes the most horrid of all despotisms. Our policy is wisely to govern ourselves, and thereby to set such an example of national justice, prosperity, and true glory, as shall teach to all nations the blessings of self-government, and the unparalleled enterprise and success of a free people.” – Millard Fillmore
19. “It is not strange, however much it may be regretted, that such an exuberance of enterprise should cause some individuals to mistake change for progress and the invasion of the rights of others for national prowess and glory. The former are constantly agitating for some change in the organic law, or urging new and untried theories of human rights. The latter are ever ready to engage in any wild crusade against a neighboring people, regardless of the justice of the enterprise and without looking at the fatal consequences to ourselves and to the cause of popular government. Such expeditions, however, are often stimulated by mercenary individuals, who expect to share the plunder or profit of the enterprise without exposing themselves to danger, and are led on by some irresponsible foreigner, who abuses the hospitality of our own Government by seducing the young and ignorant to join in his scheme of personal ambition or revenge under the false and delusive pretense of extending the area of freedom. These reprehensible aggressions but retard the true progress of our nation and tarnish its fair fame. They should therefore receive the indignant frowns of every good citizen who sincerely loves his country and takes a pride in its prosperity and honor.” – Millard Fillmore
20. “The whole country is full of enterprise. Our common schools are diffusing intelligence among the people and our industry is fast accumulating the comforts and luxuries of life. This is in part owing to our peculiar position, to our fertile soil and comparatively sparse population; but much of it is also owing to the popular institutions under which we live, to the freedom which every man feels to engage in any useful pursuit according to his taste or inclination, and to the entire confidence that his person and property will be protected by the laws. But whatever may be the cause of this unparalleled growth in population, intelligence, and wealth, one thing is clear — that the Government must keep pace with the progress of the people. It must participate in their spirit of enterprise, and while it exacts obedience to the laws and restrains all unauthorized invasions of the rights of neighboring states, it should foster and protect home industry and lend its powerful strength to the improvement of such means of intercommunication as are necessary to promote our internal commerce and strengthen the ties which bind us together as a people.” – Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore Quotes
Watch the following video highlighting a select few quotes that have left a mark in the hearts of Fillmore’s followers, historians, and even those unaware of his work inside and outside the office. Let’s take a look:
Summary
There have been many US Presidents who have created a special place in the hearts of the general public for their words of wisdom, public statements, and suggestions.
However, these Millard Fillmore quotes stood out for their uniqueness and the strong message that each of them carries. If you’re still on the lookout for more quotes from famous political figures, you’re in luck! Take a look at our list of related articles to find more quotes by famous politicians.
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Image Credits
Millard Fillmore in later life by Unknown Author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Portrait of Millard Fillmore by George Peter Alexander Healy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Daguerreotype portrait of Millard Fillmore by Mathew Brady, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
United States President Millard Fillmore by Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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