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“We must also recognize that the national administration is not and cannot be adjusted to the needs of local government. … The states should not be induced by coercion or by favor to surrender the management of their own affairs. The federal government ought to resist the tendency to be loaded up with duties which the States should perform. It does not follow that because something ought to be done the national government ought to do it. …”

Calvin Coolidge

1920s, Speech at College of William and Mary (May 15, 1926)

“No plan of centralization has ever been adopted which did not result in bureaucracy, tyranny, inflexibility, reaction, and decline. Of all forms of government, those administered by bureaus are about the least satisfactory to an enlightened and progressive people. Being irresponsible they become autocratic. … Unless bureaucracy is constantly resisted it breaks down representative government and overwhelms democracy. It … sets up the pretense of having authority over everybody and being responsible to nobody. …”

Calvin Coolidge

1920s, Speech at College of William and Mary (May 15, 1926)

“But there is another … recent development … the greatly disproportionate influence of organized minorities. Artificial propaganda, paid agitators, selfish interests, all impinge upon members of legislative bodies to force them to represent special elements rather than the great body of their constituency. When they are successful, minority rule is established. … The result is an extravagance on the part of the Government which is ruinous to the people and a multiplicity of regulations and restrictions for the conduct of all kinds of necessary business, which becomes little less than oppressive. …”

Calvin Coolidge

1920s, Speech at College of William and Mary (May 15, 1926)

“The spirit of America is to help everybody and injure nobody. We can be in a position to help only by unifying the American nation, building it up, making it strong, keeping it independent, using its inclination to help and its disclination to injure. Those who cast in their lot with this country can be true to the land of their origin only by first being true to America. When the public sees and realizes that racial groups here are first of all devoted to the interests of this country, there will be little difficulty in securing here the present needed help and assistance for the countries of the old world.”

Calvin Coolidge

1920s, The Genius of America (1924)

“The history of government on this earth has been almost entirely a history of the rule of force held in the hands of a few. Under our Constitution, America committed itself to … the power in the hands of the people. … Our government rests upon religion. It is from that source that we derive our reverence for truth and justice, for equality and liberty, and for the rights of mankind. Unless the people believe in these principles they cannot believe in our government.”

Calvin Coolidge

1920s, Unveiling of Equestrian Statue of Bishop Francis Asbury, (Oct. 15, 1924)

“There are only two main theories of government in the world. One rests on righteousness, the other rests on force. One appeals to reason, the other appeals to the sword. One is exemplified in a republic, the other is represented by a despotism. …”

Calvin Coolidge

1920s, Unveiling of Equestrian Statue of Bishop Francis Asbury, (Oct. 15, 1924)

“I think the American people want a solemn ass as a President and I think I will go along with them.”

Calvin Coolidge

To Ethel Barrymore, as quoted in Greenberg, David (2006). Calvin Coolidge. The American Presidents Series. Times Books. ISBN 978-0-8050-6957-0, p. 60.
1920s

“Those who do not want to be partakers of the American spirit out not to settle in America.”

Calvin Coolidge

Adequate Brevity, page 50 (January 1, 1924).
1920s

“Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. It may not be difficult to store up in the mind a vast quantity of facts within a comparatively short time, but the ability to form judgments requires the severe discipline of hard work and the tempering heat of experience and maturity.”

Calvin Coolidge

“I have never been hurt by anything I didn't say.”

Calvin Coolidge

“Nothing is more dangerous to good government than great power in improper hands.”

Calvin Coolidge book The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge

Source: The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge (1929)

“The pressure to speak is constant and intolerable. However, I resisted most of it.”

Calvin Coolidge book The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge

Source: The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge (1929)