Taft was the only President to also be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He came from a privileged family with all the right connections, but chose to make his life one of service from the time he was appointed Assistant Prosecutor for Hamilton County in Ohio.
In our current political climate his words struck a nerve with me. Here's a collection of the quotes that spoke most to me. Of course, I have a political bias. Read these and then read the rest of what he said and wrote. I bet you'll find truth in Taft whichever way you lean.
A government is for the benefit of all the people.
We live in a stage of politics, where legislators seem to regard the passage of laws as much more important than the results of their enforcement.
The world is not going to be saved by legislation.
The intoxication of power rapidly sobers off in the knowledge of its restrictions and under the prompt reminder of an ever-present and not always considerate press, as well as the kindly suggestions that not infrequently come from Congress.
We can't have a decent government unless those in power exercise self restraint.
Enthusiasm for a cause sometimes warps judgment.
Action for which I become responsible, or for which my administration becomes responsible, shall be within the law.
Don't worry over what the newspapers say. I don't. Why should anyone else?
No tendency is quite so strong in human nature as the desire to lay down rules of conduct for other people.
Too many people don't care what happens so long as it doesn't happen to them.
We have a government of limited power under the Constitution, and we have got to work out our problems on the basis of law.
I don't know whither we are drifting, but I do know where every real thinking patriot will stand in the end, and that's by the Constitution.
Constitutions are checks upon the hasty action of the majority. They are the self-imposed restraints of a whole people upon a majority of them to secure sober action and a respect for the rights of the minority.
I am in favor of helping the prosperity of all countries because, when we are all prosperous, the trade with each becomes more valuable to the other.
Anti-Semitism is a noxious weed that should be cut out. It has no place in America.
Politics, when I am in it, makes me sick.
The game of baseball is a clean, straight game.
Well, I have one consolation. No candidate was ever elected ex-president by such a large majority!
Repeat mantra: Donuts are not vitamins, donuts are not...
