The presidency, even to the most experienced politicians, is no bed of roses.

I bring to the work [of president] an honest heart; I dare not tell you that I bring a head sufficient for it.

Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend.

Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends.

I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.

Every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government, must ask themselves two questions: 'Do I love my people in order to serve them better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best path?' If you don't ask those questions, your governance will not be good.