The President is the last person in the world to know what the people really want and think.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that leaders often lack true insight into the thoughts and desires of their constituents.
James A. Garfield's quote highlights the disconnect that can exist between political leaders and the general populace. It implies that despite their position of power, presidents may fail to accurately gauge the feelings, needs, and concerns of the people they govern, suggesting a broader commentary on the challenges of representation in leadership roles.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a political rally to emphasize the importance of active citizen engagement.
Statistical science is indispensable to modern statesmanship. In legislation as in physical science it is beginning to be understood that we can control terrestrial forces only by obeying their laws. The legislator must formulate in his statutes not only the national will, but also those great laws of social life revealed by statistics.
I am trying to do two things: dare to be a radical and not a fool, which is a matter of no small difficulty.
Justice and goodwill will outlast passion.
Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.
If the power to do hard work is not a skill, it's the best possible substitute for it.
Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.
Being president is like running a cemetery: you've got a lot of people under you and nobody's listening.
Whenever we have thanked these men and women for what they have done for us, without exception they have expressed gratitude for having the chance to help - because they grew as they served.
There is no parallel in the history of the world. This mighty subcontinent with all kinds of inhabitants has been brought under a plan which is titanic, unknown, unparalleled. And what is very important with regard to it is that we have achieved it peacefully and by means of an evolution of the greatest possible character.
The word must is not to be used to princes.
Something I often say is, 'I stand on the shoulders of the people who came before, and I'm ready to lift up people to stand on my shoulders.' And one of the ways we can do that is to hire them.
Our true remembrance to President Kennedy is in our actions to honor the unspoken words and finish the unfinished work today and tomorrow and for as long as it takes.
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