Rutherford B. Hayes Quotes

I beg to present to your attention the case of Mr. Samuel Allen, a great friend of ours [The Democrats], who is in great need of a small appointment under your department for which he has applied. He would be very content with something for a time of not very high rank …. His is an entirely reliable man, and I should be personally glad if you could help him.

I'm 43. I'm not ready to sit down in a chair with my name on it yet.

A bureaucrat is a Democrat who has a job some Republican wants.

You have three options [as a CEO]: Either you die, you get fired, or you retire. Two of those options I don’t care for.

… superannuated bagmen

I have a lifetime appointment and I intend to serve it. I expect to die at 110, shot by a jealous husband

Can you let me know what positions you have at your disposal with which to reward deserving Democrats?

Everyone knows that a federal job is a lifetime job, and for many in Congress, it seems they have a lifetime job, too.

Me being in a managerial position has never crossed my mind. Even in the twilight of my career.

I do not look at the end of my career with any fear.

Speeches are for the younger men who are going places. And I'm not going anyplace except six feet under the floor of that little chapel adjoining the museum and library at Abilene.

...the best definition that I heard of that is that a bureaucrat is a Democrat who has a job that a Republican wants.

When I retire, I'm going after his job. If I don't make sheriff, I'm going after his job. He's not that good. You can quote me on that.

Never. Till my last breath I will work. To retire there is only one place-the cremation ground.

Nothing is more incumbent on the old than to know when they should get out of the way and relinquish to younger successors the honors they can no longer earn, and the duties they can no longer perform.

Great careers are getting easier to find and audition for, but harder to keep.

We are all dying. Every single day that we are alive.

Old gardeners never die. They just spade away and then throw in the trowel.

If you're waiting for the job, you're dead.

You don't have to talk to me about pensions. I won't be around long enough to collect one.

Retire? Retire from What? Life? I will only retire when I am dead!

Always hire people who are better than you. Hiring dummies is shortsighted. You can't move up the ladder until everyone is comfortable with your replacement.

Death is the next step after the pension-it's perpetual retirement without pay.

Nonsmokers--this is for you and you only. Ready? Nonsmokers die every day. Sleep tight.

It [retirement] was absolutely boring. You can't go and say, 'I'm retired now. That's it!' It won't take long and you're really gone for good and someone throws the last shovel of dirt on a coffin with your name on it. That's the moment you're really retiring - when you die.