Harry Truman

US President, atomic bomb decision

Modern influential 194 sayings

Sayings by Harry Truman

I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.

1954 — Remarks at a breakfast for members of the Missouri press
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

It's a wonder that the Lord doesn't just wipe us all out.

1945 — Letter to Bess Truman
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have found that the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.

1950s — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I don't give a damn about the Republicans or the Democrats. I'm interested in the United States of America.

1940s-1950s — Attributed, reflecting his independent streak
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My choice in 1944 was not my own. I was drafted. It was just as much a draft as if I had been drafted into the Army.

1958 — Explaining his vice-presidential nomination
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest part of my life was spent in the hog business. I know all about hogs.

1945 — Remarks to reporters, emphasizing his rural background
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If I had known how much work it was, I would never have run.

1950s — Reflecting on the presidency
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

When you get to be President, there are all sorts of things you are going to find out, and you are going to find out that a lot of them are not so.

1945 — Remarks to reporters
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I'm not a politician by trade. I'm a farmer and a soldier and a politician by necessity.

1940s-1950s — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It's hell to be President.

1945 — Diary entry
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have often wondered if I did the right thing. But I am sure I did. There was no other choice.

1950s — Reflecting on the atomic bomb decision
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The buck stops here.

1945 — Sign on his desk
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.

1950s — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I'm not going to be a popular President.

1945 — Remarks to reporters shortly after becoming President
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

All my life, I've had to fight my own battles.

1940s-1950s — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I think I've done a pretty good job for a boy from Missouri.

1953 — Remarks at the end of his presidency
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is a terrible thing to be a President and have to make decisions that affect the lives of millions of people.

1945 — Diary entry
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I've been cussed and discussed, boy, but I've never been licked.

1940s-1950s — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do and like it.

1950s — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I wonder how many people have ever thought of a President as a man who has to put up with a lot of slanders and lies.

1945 — Diary entry
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable