Tomas G. Masaryk Quotes

The great scientist was offered the Presidency of the young state of Israel:] I am deeply moved ..., though also sad and abashed that it is impossible for me to accept this offer. Since all my life I have been dealing with the world of objects. I have neither the natural ability nor the experience necessary to deal with human beings and to carry out official functions.

No one who has not had the responsibility can really understand what it is like to be President, not even his closest aides or members of his immediate family. There is no end to the chain of responsibility that binds him, and he is never allowed to forget that he is President.

Every President wants to do right.

The presidency is not an office job.

Public business … must always be done by somebody…. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not.

The people expect the President to be on top of everything.

I don't believe the American people want a Gelding in the White House.

Public officers are the trustees of the people.

If you accept the privilege of public service, you had better understand the responsibilities of public service.

The trust that goes with public service is a heavy burden on those who would lead us.

The President is responsible to the public for the conduct of the person he has nominated and appointed.

When I cannot get the President to read my reports, then its time to go.

I have an obligation to the people of Illinois, to the Senate and to myself to leave the Senate while I am still eager to serve, not after I tire of serving.

Let men in office substitute the midnight oil for the limelight.

A minister of state is excusable for the harm he does when the helm of government has forced his hand in a storm; but in the calm he is guilty of all the good he does not do.

To be President of the United States, sir, is to act as advocate for a blind, venomous, and ungrateful client; still, one must make the best of the case, for the purposes of Providence.

I believe that if you want to be president of the United States, you run for president. You don't run for president with some eject button in the cockpit that allows you to go on an exit ramp if it doesn't work out.

I'd love the job of Chancellor one day.

On a good day, I view the job [of president] as directing an orchestra. On the dark days, it is more like that of a clutch -- engaging the engine to effect forward motion, while taking greater friction.

When people tell me that I became President on January 20th, 1981, I feel I have to correct them. You don't become President of the United States. You are given temporary custody of an institution called the Presidency, which belongs to our people.

Donald Trump ought to realise that being a president is different to being a candidate and that there is a responsibility that comes with the office.

When he (Richard Nixon) took the oath of office, he pledged to be the president for 100% of the people, and I challenge the president to prove that he is being the president for 100% of the people.

I've been privileged to see the presidency up close. And I know the awesome responsibility of protecting America and the incredible opportunity of working to try to make life better for all of you.

Every president makes the Oval Office theirs.

I would love to be the president of United States, and I think I would be good at it, but it's too late, and it is too hard.