Portrait of Harry Truman

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
Wisdom Confirmed

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

1945 — Letter to Bess Truman
Biblical 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
Wisdom 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
Political 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
War & Conflict 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
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

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

1950s — Reflecting on the presidency
Wisdom 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
Political Unverifiable

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

1940s-1950s — Attributed
Political Unverifiable

It's hell to be President.

1945 — Diary entry
Political 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
Wisdom Unverifiable

The buck stops here.

1945 — Sign on his desk
Wisdom Confirmed

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

1950s — Attributed
Educational Unverifiable

I'm not going to be a popular President.

1945 — Remarks to reporters shortly after becoming President
Political Unverifiable

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

1940s-1950s — Attributed
War & Conflict Unverifiable

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

1953 — Remarks at the end of his presidency
Wisdom 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
Political Unverifiable

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

1940s-1950s — Attributed
Wisdom 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
Power & Leadership 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
Political Unverifiable
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