WIST Quotations

Hoover, Herbert -- (Attibuted)

Dave — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:51:49 +0000

The only trouble with capitalism is capitalists; they’re too damn greedy.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
(Attibuted)

Remark to columnist Mark Sullivan (c. 1929). Spencer Howard, an archivist at the Hoover Presidential Library, says Sullivan's son recalled Hoover saying this to his father at least once in the early 1930s.

Hoover, Herbert -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

When the outcome of a meeting is to have another meeting, it has been a lousy meeting.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
(Attributed)

Hoover, Herbert -- Memoirs: Years of Adventure, 1874–1920, ch. 11 “The Profession of Engineering” (1952)

Dave — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 18:32:36 +0000

The great liability of the engineer compared to men of other professions is that his works are out in the open where all can see them. His acts, step by step, are in hard substance. He cannot bury his mistakes in the grave like the doctors. He cannot argue them into thin air or blame the judge like the lawyers. He cannot, like the architects, cover his failures with trees and vines. He cannot, like the politicians, screen his shortcomings by blaming his opponents and hope that the people will forget. The engineer simply cannot deny that he did it. If his works do not work, he is damned.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Memoirs: Years of Adventure, 1874–1920, ch. 11 “The Profession of Engineering” (1952)
(Source)

While treating this as the definitive version of this litany, a number of variations can be found in Hoover's writing and speaking prior to this. The earliest is same text is found in his essay (1916), "Engineering as a Profession" (reprinted as a 1954 article in Engineer's Week). Some of the other variants follow.

Speech (1950-02-09), "Engineering Society of the Moles," New York City:

The engineer has certain disadvantages compared to the other professions. His works are out in the open where all men can see them. He cannot deny he did it. The doctors’ mistakes are buried in the grave. The voters forget when the politician changes the alphabetical names of his failing projects. The trees and ivy may cover the architects’ failures. The lawyers can blame the Judge or the Jury. Unlike the clergyman, the engineer cannot blame his failures on the devil.
Moreover, if his works do not work, he is damned.

Speech (1951-11-07), "Engineers," Columbia University Engineering Campaign Center, New York City:

The engineer’s work is out in the open where all men can see it. If he makes a mistake, he cannot, like the doctor, bury it in a grave. He cannot, like the architect, obscure it by trees and ivy. He cannot, like the lawyer, blame it on the judge or jury. He cannot, like the politician, claim his constituents demanded it. Nor can he, like the public official, change the name of it and hope the voters will forget. Unlike the clergyman, he cannot blame it on the devil. Worse still, if his works do not work, he is damned.

For more discussion of possible precursors of this quotation, see: Quote Origin: The Architect Can Only Advise His Client to Plant Vines – Quote Investigator®. (To which end, see also Frank Lloyd Wright (1930).)

Hoover, Herbert -- The Challenge to Liberty, ch. 7 (1934)

Dave — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 02:42:22 +0000

More particularly does the weakening of the legislative arm lead to encroachments by the executive upon legislative and judicial functions, and inevitably that encroachment is upon individual liberty. If we examine the fate of wrecked republics over the world we shall find first a weakening of the legislative arm.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
The Challenge to Liberty, ch. 7 (1934)
(Source)

Hoover, Herbert -- In the New York Tribune (29 Apr 1920)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Ours is a practical people, to whom ideals furnish the theory of political action, upon which they want not only firm assurance, but also effective practice. They want programmes, but they want action to flow from them. They want constructive common sense. They want the development of the common will, not the views of a single individual. They are beginning to realize that words without action are the assassins of idealism.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
In the New York Tribune (29 Apr 1920)

On the 1920 Presidential campaign.

Hoover, Herbert -- Letter to George Moses (14 Jun 1928)

Dave — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 18:16:04 +0000

You convey too great a compliment when you say that I have earned the right to the presidential nomination. No man can establish such an obligation upon any part of the American people. My country owes me no debt. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, opportunity for service and honor. In no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded hope. My whole life has taught me what America means. I am indebted to my country beyond any human power to repay.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Letter to George Moses (14 Jun 1928)

When learning of his nomination for President; Moses was the chairman of the Republican National Convention.

Hoover, Herbert -- Letter to Sen. George H. Moses (14 Jun. 1928)

Dave — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:52:43 +0000

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Letter to Sen. George H. Moses (14 Jun. 1928)

On learning of his nomination to the presidency

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech (1929-03-04), Inaugural Address

Dave — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:39:48 +0000

Ours is a land rich in resources, stimulating in its glorious beauty, filled with millions of happy homes, blessed with comfort and opportunity. In no nation are the institutions of progress more advanced. In no nation are the fruits of accomplishment more secure. In no nation is the government more worthy of respect. No country is more loved by its people. I have an abiding faith in their capacity, integrity, and high purpose. I have no fears for the future of our country. It is bright with hope.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech (1929-03-04), Inaugural Address
(Source)

Seven months before the Black Friday, the Stock Market Crash and the beginning of the Great Depression.

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech (1929-12-14), Gridiron Club, Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Dave — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:37:37 +0000

In the Middle Ages it was the fashion to wear hair shirts to remind one’s self of trouble and sin. Many years ago I concluded that a few hair shirts were part of the mental wardrobe of every man. The President differs only from other men in that he has a more extensive wardrobe.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech (1929-12-14), Gridiron Club, Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.
(Source)

More about the hair shirt or "cilice" here.

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech (1944-06-27), “Freedom in America and the World,” Republican National Convention, Chicago

Dave — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:40:18 +0000

Older men declare war. But it is youth who must fight and die. And it is youth who must inherit the tribulation, the sorrow, and the triumphs that are the aftermath of war.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech (1944-06-27), “Freedom in America and the World,” Republican National Convention, Chicago
(Source)

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech (1951-08-01), “On the Two-Party System,” Utah Republican Outing, Salt Lake City, Utah

Dave — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 23:14:49 +0000

The very basis of Representative Government is a two‐party system. It is one of the essential checks and balances against inefficiency, dishonesty, and tyranny.
An organized, effective opposition which insists upon disclosure of the facts and submits them to the anvil of debate is the one safety Representative Government has.
Moreover, the people must have alternative programs of action upon which they may decide at the ballot box.
Beyond this, any party in power accumulates barnacles and deadwood which can only be rid by a change in administration.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech (1951-08-01), “On the Two-Party System,” Utah Republican Outing, Salt Lake City, Utah
(Source)

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech (1951-08-30), “Concerning Honor in Public Life,” Iowa Centennial Celebration, Des Moines, Iowa (radio broadcast)

Dave — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:23:57 +0000

Dishonor in public life has a double poison. When people are dishonorable in private business, they injure only those with whom they deal or their own chances in the next world. But when there is a lack of honor in Government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech (1951-08-30), “Concerning Honor in Public Life,” Iowa Centennial Celebration, Des Moines, Iowa (radio broadcast)
(Source)

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech (1951-08-30), “Concerning Honor in Public Life,” Iowa Centennial Celebration, Des Moines, Iowa (radio broadcast)

Dave — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 12:38:44 +0000

The duty of public men in this Republic is to lead in standards of integrity — both in mind and money.
Dishonor in public life has a double poison. When people are dishonorable in private business, they injure only those with whom they deal or their own chances in the next world. But when there is a lack of honor in Government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned.
Some folks seem to think these are necessary evils in a free government. Or that it is smart politics. Those are deadly sleeping pills. No public man can be just a little crooked.

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech (1951-08-30), “Concerning Honor in Public Life,” Iowa Centennial Celebration, Des Moines, Iowa (radio broadcast)

Dave — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 16:37:30 +0000

Our greatest danger is not from invasion by foreign armies. Our dangers are that we may commit suicide from within by complaisance with evil. Or by public tolerance of scandalous behavior. Or by cynical acceptance of dishonor. These evils have defeated nations many times in human history.

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech (22 Oct 1928)

Dave — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:02:41 +0000

It is just as important that business keep out of government as that government keep out of business.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech (22 Oct 1928)

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech, Colby College (8 Nov 1937)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

It is a paradox that every dictator has climbed to power on the ladder of free speech. Immediately on attaining power each dictator has suppressed all free speech except his own.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech, Colby College (8 Nov 1937)

Full text.

Hoover, Herbert -- Speech, Republican National Convention, Chicago (27 Jun 1944)

Dave — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:13:19 +0000

Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die. And it is youth who must inherit the tribulation, the sorrow and the triumphs that are the aftermath of war.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech, Republican National Convention, Chicago (27 Jun 1944)