Buzz
Andrew Jackson embodied a multitude of characteristics: Tenacious. Sharp. Merciless. Sentimental. And remarkably articulate. Whether he was denouncing the banking system or dismissing the rules of spelling, Jackson voiced his thoughts on numerous subjects. Here are some of his most memorable quotes.
1. and 2. On the banking system
“The bank, Mr. Van Buren, is attempting to destroy me. But I will destroy it.” Just three days later, Jackson declared his veto of the bank's charter.
“I have been afraid of banks.” Jackson is frequently misquoted as saying "I have always been afraid of banks," but the actual statement was, "Ever since I read about the South Sea Bubble, I have been afraid of banks."
3. On dueling and killing Charles Dickinson
Despite Dickinson firing first and striking Jackson directly in the chest, nearly fatally wounding him, Old Hickory remained composed and returned fire as if unharmed. When a friend marveled at Jackson's calmness, he replied, “Even if he had shot me through the brain, sir, I would still have killed him.”
4. On his presidential candidacy
"Do they believe I am foolish enough to consider myself qualified for the presidency? No, sir; I understand my capabilities. I can lead men in a rugged manner, but I am not suited to be President."
5. On his temperament
"I was made for turmoil, and tranquility does not suit me."
6. On his approach to life
“I strive to live as though death could claim me at any instant.” While this may have been accurate, he was equally ready to resist death fiercely. When an assassin attempted to kill him in 1835, Jackson struck him repeatedly with his cane.
7. On the subject of spelling
“A mind that can only think of one way to spell a word is a pitiful one indeed.”
8. On his reflections and regrets
The day following Van Buren's election as president, Jackson took a moment to ponder his own presidency with a companion. When questioned about any regrets over the past eight years, he answered: “[That] I didn’t shoot Henry Clay and I didn’t hang John C. Calhoun.”
9. Additional thoughts on John C. Calhoun
"John Calhoun, if you secede from my nation, I will remove your head from your body." As The Week notes, this quote remains unverified, but considering Jackson's temperament and his history with Calhoun, it is highly plausible.
10. On the wealthy and powerful
“It is unfortunate that the affluent and influential frequently manipulate the actions of government to serve their own self-centered interests.”
11. On the subject of taxation
"Human ingenuity has yet to devise a tax system that functions with absolute fairness."
12. On the people of Kentucky
During the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, Kentucky dispatched 2300 militiamen to support Jackson. Amazed that so many arrived unarmed, he famously remarked, a statement now celebrated on t-shirts as a symbol of Kentucky pride: “I’ve never met a Kentuckian without a gun, a deck of cards, and a jug of whiskey.”
