Millard Fillmore’s Wise Words: Unforgettable Quotes

Want some presidential wisdom, but you’re tired of that old Abe Lincoln speech? Well look no further my friends, because today we are diving into the wise words of none other than the 13th president himself: Millard Fillmore (who most people might confuse with a baking ingredient).

Who was he? I’m not going to bore you too much, but let’s just say he was a hardworking man who- Wait! Don’t go yet! Trust me when I tell you that some of his quotes are truly unforgettable and will provide guidance in areas you never knew needed it.

Early Years

Born on January 7th, 1800 in upstate New York (shout out to all my fellow Western New Yorkers!), Fillmore started working young as an apprentice for local cloth makers. He then became interested in politics and went on to represent his community in Congress before becoming vice president and eventually taking over after Zachary Taylor passed away.

On Leadership

Fillmore had strong views on leadership which still resonate today:

“May God save the country, for it is evident that the people will not.”

He believed leaders should prioritize making decisions even if they aren’t popular or necessary precautions (not like those Instagram influencers throwing caution into COVID winds):

“The government should not be guided by temporary excitement…but by sober second thought.”

Fillmore also understood how difficult being a good leader could be;

“It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.”

And sometimes leading can feel impossible.

“What wise men do may not be always what they deem best.”

On Diplomacy

Next time things get heated during Thanksgiving dinner try using this diplomatic gem from Fillmore:

“An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory”

He was also a big proponent of seeing the best in others, especially if you wanted your negotiations to go well:

“That is the way with us politicians: we are always gentle in the treatment of our friends—like brewers and distillers towards their customers — and rarely ever examine our liquors before they are sent home”

And how do you know when someone (read: my mother-in-law) just won’t give up? Fillmore has you covered there too:

“I have been informed by many of them that I am their implacable enemy because I did not declare in favor of Negro suffrage. . . . If one man sees further than another, it is because he stands on higher ground; if he occupies no higher ground, he cannot see further-then why dispute?”

Fillmore believed diplomacy required patience:

“Great emergencies extort great powers from governments”(and family dinners)

On Education

Education was important to Fillmore who said;

“An educated people can be easily governed.”

He wasn’t alone as most people agree on this. Consequently I haven”t seen my cousin for months since she went nuts with those sudoku puzzles (harder than trying to fix Millard’s name).

Furthermore;

“It is not strange…to mistake change for progress”

Changes must not only happen but should improve society too.

On Greatness

Every leader likes feeling great about themselves sometimes, yet Millard shows that humility is key.

“Let us remember that revolutions do not always establish freedom.”

Never forget history lessons or else prepare yourselves for repeated gut punches.

But according to Fillmore greatness comes from consistently making smart choices:(ahem Amazon Prime Day buyers)

“The wisdom which a wise man tries to communicate always sounds like foolishness to someone else … Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

On Slavery

Let’s be honest; slavery has never been a funny matter. Yet Fillmore had an interesting take on it:

“God knows that I detest slavery, but is it nothing to perpetuate servitude under the guise of freedom?”

I’m surprised he didn’t just go for what we all think when talking about someone or some thing disagreeable.. “Bless your heart.”

Fillmore thought people needed reminders that no one was born better than anyone else:

“Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions.”

Final Thoughts

In summary Millard Fillmore may have been forgotten by history for being kindaboring (not that he could help his name) . However his wise words continue to inspire us today and remind us how broadly applicable politics and leadership are.

To end our journey through Millard’s timeless quotes let me leave you with this gem:

“The nourishment is palatable only when the palate is healthy.”

Now if you’ll excuse me while I go make sure my palate stays healthy from now on (or ask Millard to explain how healthcare works…).

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