I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men, whose superiors it is our happiness to believe are not found on the executive calendar of any country.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the reverence for the achievements of great leaders and the aspiration to follow their path.
In this quote, Martin Van Buren expresses admiration for the remarkable leaders who have come before him, suggesting that their exceptional qualities and contributions are a source of inspiration. He implies that true greatness is rare and that he finds joy in believing that such extraordinary individuals are not bound by the limitations of any current political or executive framework, thus encouraging future leaders to aspire to their legacy.
In practice
In a graduation speech, a speaker could use this quote to inspire students to aspire to greatness.
To avoid the necessity of a permanent debt and its inevitable consequences, I have advocated and endeavored to carry into effect the policy of confining the appropriations for the public service to such objects only as are clearly with the constitutional authority of the Federal Government.
In time of peace there can, at all events, be no justification for the creation of a permanent debt by the Federal Government. Its limited range of constitutional duties may certainly under such circumstances be performed without such a resort.
It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't.
The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.
Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. The first is the resource of intrigue and produces only secondary results, the second is the resort of genius and transforms the universe.
The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought.
When you're building a business or joining a company you have to be transparent, you can't have two sets of information for two sets of people.
I am here by the will of the Great Spirit, and by his will I am chief.
The chief qualification of a mass leader has become unending infallibility; he can never admit an error.
I never did anything alone. Whatever was accomplished in this country was accomplished collectively.
If we knew how often the obedience of others is affected by our own, and how often our stepping forth soon brings forth a whole platton of helpers, and how often our speaking forth soon creates a chorus - we would be even more ashamed of our slackess and our silence.
Responsibility is a unique concept... You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you... If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion, or ignorance or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone else. Unless you can point your finger at the man who is responsible when something goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible.
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