James Monroe was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, and Founding Father who served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825. He was the last Founding Father to serve as president for two terms and the last president of the Virginia dynasty. Monroe is best known for the Monroe Doctrine and the Missouri Compromise which played an important role in American foreign policy. Explore these famous James Monroe quotes from his inauguration address and other milestone speeches.
Born on 28 April 1758 at Monroe Hall, Virginia, United States, James Monroe played a significant role in the foundation and direction of the United States in its early years.
His presidency is often remembered as the “Era of Good Feelings” as it was a period marked by relative peace and prosperity.
Monroe strengthened America’s position on the global front by developing good diplomatic relations with other countries. He took many initiatives to strengthen the nation’s defense and supported infrastructure development.
As the leader of the Democratic-Republican Party, Monroe formulated many policies that have benefitted America on a large scale.
Some of his notable accomplishments and policies include:
- As a diplomat, Monroe helped Robert R. Livingston to successfully negotiate the Louisiana Purchase. This deal helped America to extend its boundaries westwards.
- He introduced The Monroe Doctrine in 1823 that opposed the European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere. The doctrine was central to American grand strategy in the 20th century.
- Monroe enacted the Missouri Compromise of 1820 to maintain the balance between free and slave states. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state while prohibiting slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands north of the 36°30′ parallel.
- Under his leadership and administration, America successfully acquired Florida and settled boundary issues with Britain.
Monroe’s remarkable achievements throughout his political career make him one of the most important figures in American history.
In his honor, we have curated our favorite James Monroe quotes on education, justice, government, and more. Get inspired and motivated by reading these awesome quotes.
Top 10 James Monroe Quotes
- “A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue.” — James Monroe
James Monroe Quotes - “National honor is national property of the highest value.” — James Monroe
Quotes Of James Monroe - “Preparation for war is a constant stimulus to suspicion and ill will.” — James Monroe
James Monroe Quote - “History has shown that at least one-half of every century is consumed in war.” — James Monroe
Famous Quotes By James Monroe - “We must support our rights or lose our character, and with it, perhaps, our liberties.” — James Monroe
President James Monroe Quotes - “The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.” — James Monroe
James Monroe Famous Quotes - “In a representative republic, the education of our children must be of the utmost importance!” — James Monroe
Best James Monroe Quotes - “It is the knowledge that all men have weaknesses and that many have vices that makes government necessary.” — James Monroe
Top 10 James Monroe Quotes - “The right of self-defense never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and to individuals.” — James Monroe
Inspirational James Monroe Quotes - “A free, virtuous, and enlightened people must know full well the great principles and causes upon which their happiness depends.” — James Monroe
Best James Monroe Quotes
- “It is better to spread trust all around than to hand out money!” — James Monroe
- “If America wants concessions, she must fight for them. We must purchase our power with our blood.” — James Monroe
- “The emigrants although of different parties and different religious sects all flew from persecution in pursuit of liberty.” — James Monroe
- “Our country may be likened to a new house. We lack many things, but we possess the most precious of all – liberty!” — James Monroe
- “Let us by wise and constitutional measures promote intelligence among the people as the best means of preserving our liberties.” — James Monroe
- “The liberty, prosperity, and the happiness of our country will always be the object of my most fervent prayers to the Supreme Author of All Good.” — James Monroe
- “If it was wise, manly, and patriotic for us to establish a free government, it is equally wise to attend to the necessary means of its preservation.” — James Monroe
- “It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty.” — James Monroe
- “There is a price tag on human liberty. That price is the willingness to assume the responsibilities of being free men. Payment of this price is a personal matter with each of us.” — James Monroe
- “The earth was given to mankind to support the greatest number of which it is capable, and no tribe or people have a right to withhold from the wants of others more than is necessary for their own support and comfort.” — James Monroe
Famous Quotes Of James Monroe
- “I regret that I should leave this world without again beholding him.” — James Monroe
- “The public lands are a public stock, which ought to be disposed of to the best advantage for the nation.” — James Monroe
- “I have great satisfaction in stating that our relations with France, Russia, and other powers continue on the most friendly basis.” — James Monroe
- “To impose taxes when the public exigencies require them is an obligation of the most sacred character, especially with a free people.” — James Monroe
- “At no period of our political existence had we so much cause to felicitate ourselves at the prosperous and happy condition of our country.” — James Monroe
- “There is every reason to believe that our system will soon attain the highest degree of perfection of which human institutions are capable.” — James Monroe
- “In wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do.” — James Monroe
- “If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy.” — James Monroe
- “The movements of a great nation are connected in all their parts. If errors have been committed they ought to be corrected; if the policy is sound it ought to be supported.” — James Monroe
- “Peace is the best time for improvement and preparation of every kind; it is in peace that our commerce flourishes most, that taxes are most easily paid, and that the revenue is most productive.” — James Monroe
President James Monroe Quotes
- “Never did a government commence under auspices so favorable, nor ever was success so complete.” — James Monroe
- “Our relations with the other powers of Europe have experienced no essential change since the last session.” — James Monroe
- “The mention of Greece fills the mind with the most exalted sentiments and arouses in our bosoms the best feelings of which our nature is capable.” — James Monroe
- “While we assert for ourselves a freedom to embrace, to profess, and to observe, the Religion which we believe to be of divine origin, we cannot deny an equal freedom to them whose minds have not yielded to the evidence which has convinced us.” — James Monroe
- “Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe. And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.” — James Monroe
James Monroe Quotes And Sayings
- “The payments which have been made into the Treasury show the very productive state of the public revenue.” — James Monroe
- “The civil war which has so long prevailed between Spain and the Provinces in South America still continues, without any prospect of its speedy termination.” — James Monroe
- “The great increase of our population throughout the Union will alone produce an important effect, and in no quarter will it be so sensibly felt as in those in contemplation.” — James Monroe
- “The American continents, by the free and independent condition by which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.” — James Monroe
- “Of the liberty of conscience in matters of religious faith, of speech and of the press; of the trial by jury of the vicinage in civil and criminal cases; of the benefit of the writ of habeas corpus; of the right to keep and bear arms…. If these rights are well defined, and secured against encroachment, it is impossible that government should ever degenerate into tyranny.” — James Monroe
Fun Facts About James Monroe
- Monroe initially opposed the Constitution.
- Monroe was a law apprentice for Thomas Jefferson.
- He was a lieutenant in the military when he was 18 years old.
- He served under George Washington during the American Revolution.
- Monroe was one of the most dominant presidential candidates ever. He received 68% vote in the 1816 election and 81% in the 1820 election.
- Before being elected as the President, Monroe has served as governor of Virginia, a member of the United States Senate, the seventh secretary of state, the eighth secretary of war, and U.S. ambassador to France and Britain.
- He was the last president who was never photographed in his lifetime.
- Monroe was one of three Founding Fathers who were elected president and died on 4th of July. He died on July 4, 1831.
James Monroe’s Personal Details
Born: James Monroe, April 28, 1758 Monroe Hall, Virginia, British America
Died: July 4, 1831 (aged 73) New York City, U.S.
Resting place: Hollywood Cemetery
Political Party: Democratic-Republican
Spouse: Elizabeth Kortright (m. 1786; died 1830)
Children: Eliza Kortright Monroe, James Spence Monroe (who died in infancy), and Maria Hester
Education: College of William & Mary
Occupation: Politician & Lawyer
Conclusion
James Monroe words continue to inspire people to this day with his teachings on freedom, education, religion, and God.
His speeches reflect his bold and unyielding spirit and his commitment to using his power for the greater good.
Let us know which are your favorite James Monroe quotations (with images, slogans, & wallpapers)? If you have a quote that is not on the above list, please share it in the comments section below.
If you like these inspirational James Monroe sayings then check our collection of Franklin D. Roosevelt quotes and John F. Kennedy quotes to get inspired.
So, feel free to share with friends and family on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more to spread positive vibes.
