Presidential Wit

I have this book, Presidential Wit, that I just love. It gives you an idea of how our former presidents really were - a sense of their personality that we don't usually get to see. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

John Adams:

"During a tour of Princeton University, Adams was taken into the chapel, where, he said, "the scholars sing as badly as the Presbyterians in New York." " August 24, 1774 (pg. 12)

"From John Adams to his wife, Abigail Adams: "I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman." " December 30, 1778 (pg. 12)


Thomas Jefferson:

"In a letter to John Jay, Jefferson described Louis XVI during a crisis in France: "He hunts one half of the day, is drunk the other, and signs whatever he is bid." October 8, 1787 (pg. 17)

"Politeness is artificial good humor, and a valuable preservative of peace and tranquility." Letter to a Friend Novermber 24, 1808 (pg. 19)


John Quincy Adams:

"The wife of Willis Anderson came again to petition for his pardon. She hinted that her husband did not wish to be discharged from prison himself, and that it would be no relaxation of his punishment to turn him over to her." Diary June 19, 1828 (pg. 30) Ha! I'm sure many a men would feel this way in this situation.


Andrew Jackson:

"Commenting on Sam Houston, Andrew Jackson remarked: "There goes a man made by the Lord Almighty and not by his tailor." " (pg. 34)



Millard Fillmore:

"When James K. Polk won the Presidential election, Fillmore said: "May God save the country; for it is evident that the people will not." " Letter to Henry Clay November 11, 1844 (pg. 42) Hm.... seems like we are in this same situation today!


James Buchanan:

"Inviting a friend to dinner at his house, James Buchanan wrote: "I am happy that our tastes on so many subjects are the same and that we both delight in the classical dish of sauerkraut. Many pretenders to refinement despise this honest German dish; but we know better. I shall therefore expect you." " (pg. 46)

With that I think I will stop, as Abraham Lincoln's Presidential wit will be a post in itself. Then I will take up the rest of the presidents to Johnson.

Cited from: Presidential Wit from Washington to Johnson, Compiled and Edited by Bill Adler, Trident Press: New York, 1966.