Sam Houston was an American lawyer and politician, instrumental in the Texas Revolution and the annexation of Texas into the U.S.
Born in Virginia in 1793, he moved to Tennessee as a child. After his father’s death, he lived with the Cherokee, gaining the name Black Raven and a unique rapport with the natives.
Houston served in the War of 1812 and later in various political roles in Tennessee. Moving to Texas in 1832, he became a key leader in the settlers’ revolt against Mexico.
His leadership at the Battle of San Jacinto ensured Texas’s independence.
Houston served as the Republic of Texas’s president and later as a U.S. Senator for Texas.
As governor, he opposed secession but was deposed for not supporting the Confederacy.
He spent his final years in Huntsville, Texas and the city of Houston is named in his honor.
Below are some of the best quotes by Sam Houston.
Best Sam Houston Quotes
Whether his policy was right or wrong, he built up the glory of the nation. ~ Sam Houston.
Do right and risk the consequences. ~ Sam Houston.
I love Texas too well to bring civil strife and bloodshed upon her. ~ Sam Houston.
Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may. ~ Sam Houston.
Govern wisely, and as little as possible. ~ Sam Houston.
I am aware that in presenting myself as the advocate of the Indians and their rights, I shall stand very much alone. ~ Sam Houston.
Texas can make it without the United States, but the United States cannot make it without Texas. ~ Sam Houston.
Texas, to be respected must be polite. Santa Anna living, can be of incalculable benefit to Texas; Santa Anna dead, would just be another dead Mexican. ~ Sam Houston.
Famous Sam Houston Quotes
I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man. ~ Sam Houston.
A leader is someone who helps improve the lives of other people or improve the system they live under. ~ Sam Houston.
Remember that whatever may be said by a lady or her friends, it is not part of conduct of a gallant or generous man to take up arms against a woman. ~ Sam Houston.
All new states are invested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men. ~ Sam Houston.
I would lay down my life to defend any one of the States from aggression, which endangered peace or threatened its institutions. I could do more for the union, but I wish to do more; for the destruction of the union would be the destruction of all the States. A stab in the heart is worse then a cut in a limb, for this may be healed. ~ Sam Houston.
Popular Sam Houston Quotes
In the name of the constitution of Texas, which has been trampled upon, I refuse to take this oath. I love Texas too well to bring civil strife and bloodshed upon her. ~ Sam Houston.
Let me tell you what is coming. After the sacrifice of countless millions of treasure and hundreds of thousands of lives you may win Southern independence, but I doubt it. The North is determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a given direction, they move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche. ~ Sam Houston.
He has all the characteristics of a dog – except loyalty. ~ Sam Houston.
I declare that civil war is inevitable and is near at hand. When it comes the descendants of the heroes of Lexington and Bunker Hill will be found equal in patriotism, courage and heroic endurance with the descendants of the heroes of Cowpens and Yorktown. For this reason I predict the civil war which is now at hand will be stubborn and of long duration. ~ Sam Houston.
We view ourselves on the eve of battle. We are nerved for the contest, and must conquer or perish. It is vain to look for present aid: none is at hand. We must now act or abandon all hope! Rally to the standard, and be no longer the scoff of mercenary tongues! Be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father’s name. ~ Sam Houston.
Great Sam Houston Quotes
Texas will again lift it’s head and stand among the nations. It ought to do so, for no country upon the globe can compare with it in natural advantages. ~ Sam Houston.
I have ever been opposed to banks, – opposed to internal improvements by the general government, – opposed to distribution of public lands among the states, – opposed to taking the power from the hands of the people, – opposed to special monopolies, – opposed to a protective tariff, – opposed to a latitudinal construction of the constitution, – opposed to slavery agitation and disunion. This is my democracy. Point to a single act of my public career not in keeping with these principles. ~ Sam Houston.
Bear in Mind…that all Histories from the Rock at Plymouth, and Jamestown to the present time, have been made by white men, and a man who tells his own story, is always right until the adversary’s tale is told. ~ Sam Houston.
I would not be gotten into a schoolhouse until I was eight years old. Nor did I accomplish much after I started. I doubt if I had gone to school six months in all when my father died. I was fourteen at the time. ~ Sam Houston.
It is a matter of great satisfaction to me to hope that my children will be in circumstances to receive a good education. Mine was defective and I feel the inconvenience, if not the misfortune of not receiving a classical education. Knowledge is the food of genius, and my son, let no opportunity escape you to treasure up knowledge. ~ Sam Houston.
To secede from the Union and set up another government would cause war. If you go to war with the United States, you will never conquer her, as she has the money and the men. If she does not whip you by guns, powder, and steel, she will starve you to death. It will take the flower of the country – the young men. ~ Sam Houston.
Top Sam Houston Quotes
I preferred measuring deer tracks to tape – that I liked the wild liberty of the Red men better then the tyranny of my brothers. ~ Sam Houston.
Our people are going to war to perpetuate slavery, but the war will be its death knell. ~ Sam Houston.
Let me tell you what is coming…. Your fathers and husbands, your sons and brothers, will be herded at the point of the bayonet… You may, after the sacrifice of countless millions of treasure and of thousands of lives, as a bare possibility, win Southern independence…but I doubt it. ~ Sam Houston.
Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has ever blessed my vision! ~ Sam Houston.
I beseech those whose piety will permit them reverently to petition, that they will pray for this union, and ask that He who buildeth up and pulleth down nations will, the mercy preserve and unite us. For a Nation divided against itself cannot stand. I wish, if this Union must be dissolved, that its ruins may be the monument of my grave, and the graves of my family. I wish no epitaph to be written to tell that I survive the ruin of this glorious Union. ~ Sam Houston.
So these were the 30 top Sam Houston quotes and sayings.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Eugene Debs quotes and Fran Lebowitz quotes.
