Top 8 Quotes & Sayings by John Nance Garner

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American politician John Nance Garner.

Last updated on April 19, 2025.

John Nance Garner III, known among his contemporaries as "Cactus Jack", was an American Democratic politician and lawyer from Texas who served as the 32nd vice President of the United States under Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933 to 1941. Garner was also the 39th speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1931 to 1933. He and Schuyler Colfax are the only individuals to have served as both Speaker of the House and Vice President of the United States.

American - Politician | November 22, 1868 - November 7, 1967

Source: Wikipedia

The trouble today is that we have too many laws.

John Nance Garner

How can we preserve our aspirations and at the same time develop the toughness of mind and spirit to face the fact that there are no easy victories? One is a tough-minded recognition that the fight for a better world is a long one.

John Nance Garner

Vice president: A spare tire on the automobile of government.

John Nance Garner

The Vice Presidency isn't worth a pitcher of warm spit.

John Nance Garner

I have always done what I thought was best for my country, never varying unless I was advised that two-thirds of the Democrats were for a bill and then I voted for it.

John Nance Garner

Worst damnfool mistake I ever made was letting myself be elected Vice President of the United States. Should have stuck with my old chores as Speaker of the House. I gave up the second most important job in the Government for one that didn't amount to a hill of beans. I spent eight long years as Mr. Roosevelt's spare tire.

John Nance Garner

You have to do a little bragging on yourself even to your relatives-man doesn't get anywhere without advertising.

John Nance Garner

The single biggest time waster in the world is not completing what you start.

John Nance Garner