20+ Presidents’ Day Quotes To Inspire You

It’s Presidents’ Day, and whether you’re enjoying a day off, running to and fro to take advantage of sales or, like many solopreneurs, treating it like just another day at the office, it’s never a bad thing to reflect on the wise words of some of our former leaders.

Presidents’ Day was originally established in recognition of George Washington’s birthday, February 22nd. Today, it’s scheduled for the third Monday in February.

Let’s face it – no president has ever had an “easy” job. What they do have, however, is a strong resolve to do what they believe is right, and that’s evident in the quotes they’ve left behind. Here, we’ll explore some of our favorite quotes.

Honoring the Legacy of George Washington

George Washington, the first President of the United States, is a towering figure in American history. His leadership and vision were instrumental in shaping the fledgling nation. On Presidents’ Day, we honor his legacy and reflect on the values he embodied. Washington’s commitment to integrity, honesty, and fairness set a high standard for future leaders. His famous quote, “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one,” underscores the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions. As we celebrate Presidents’ Day, we remember George Washington’s contributions to American history and strive to emulate his exemplary leadership.

Traditionally speaking, we also honor Abraham Lincoln on this day as well, whose birthday is February 12.

Leadership Lessons from U.S. Presidents

Throughout history, U.S. Presidents have provided invaluable insights on leadership. Their quotes and speeches offer guidance on how to lead effectively, make tough decisions, and inspire others. Abraham Lincoln once said, “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.” This quote highlights the importance of adaptability and innovative thinking in leadership.

Similarly, Barack Obama said, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” These words emphasize the need for proactive leadership and collective action. By studying the leadership lessons from U.S. Presidents, we can gain valuable insights on how to lead effectively in our personal and professional lives.

President Quotes on Kindness and Empathy

Presidential quotes also offer valuable insights on the importance of kindness and empathy in leadership. George Washington once observed, “My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty… it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein,” emphasizing the need for collaboration and teamwork.

Barack Obama’s quote, “If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress,” highlights the importance of perseverance and empathy in achieving our goals. By reflecting on these presidential quotes, we can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of kindness and empathy in leadership and strive to incorporate these values into our own lives.

More Inspirational President Quotes

In everything from leadership to perseverance to honesty and morality, the words of our former leaders have survived long after they’ve gone, and will continue to live on for generations to come. So, before you go about your day as if it were just a normal day, take a few minutes to read through these quotes and get a bit of inspiration:

1. “We can complain rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” –Abraham Lincoln
2. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” –John Adams
3. “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit” – Harry S. Truman
4. “If you treat people right they will treat you right… ninety percent of the time.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt
5. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” –Dwight D. Eisenhower
6. “Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.” –John F. Kennedy
7. “Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly.” -Ronald Reagan
8. “I walk slowly, but I never walk backwards.” –Abraham Lincoln
9. “Believe you can and you’re half way there.” –Theodore Roosevelt
10. “It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.” –George Washington
11. “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” –Thomas Jefferson
12. “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.” –Thomas Jefferson
13. “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” –Calvin Coolidge
14. “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” –Jimmy Carter
15. ”In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand still like the rock.” –Thomas Jefferson
16. “Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.” –Gerald Ford
17. “The bud of victory is always in the truth.” -Benjamin Harrison
18. “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.” -Herbert Hoover
19. “In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins.” –Ulysses S. Grant
20. “It is of no use to discover our own faults and infirmities unless the discovery prompts up to amendment.” -John Quincy Adams
21. “Accomplishment will prove to be a journey, not a destination.” –Dwight D. Eisenhower
22. “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” –John F. Kennedy
23. “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” –Dwight D. Eisenhower
24. ”It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. In this life we get nothing save by effort.” –Theodore Roosevelt
25. “Times change, and we change with them.” -William Henry Harrison
26. “I would rather belong to a poor nation that was free than to a rich nation that had ceased to be in love with liberty.” -Woodrow Wilson

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.