POST-PRESIDENCY

“I go into [retirement] with a combination of parties and public men against my character and reputation, such as I believe never before was exhibited against any man since this union existed.”

—JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

“I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant and will become a sovereign.”

—JAMES K. POLK

“I feel no regret that I was relieved of the thankless task of administering this government.”

—MILLARD FILLMORE

“It is a national disgrace that our presidents, after having occupied the highest position in the country, should be cast adrift, and, perhaps, be compelled to keep a corner grocery for subsistence.”

—MILLARD FILLMORE

“Nobody ever left the presidency with less regret, less disappointment, fewer heartburnings, or any general content with the result of his term… than I do.”

—RUTHERFORD B. HAYES

“I feel like a locomotive hitched to a boy’s express wagon.”

—GROVER CLEVELAND, on leaving the White House

“And still the question, ‘What shall be done with our ex-Presidents?’ is not laid at rest; and I sometimes think Watterson’s solution of it, ‘Take them out and shoot them,’ is worthy of attention.”

—GROVER CLEVELAND

“If I’d known how much packing I’d have to do, I’d have run again.”

—HARRY TRUMAN

“I have this recurring nightmare that for the first four or five months after I leave office, I’ll be lost every time I enter a room because nobody will be playing a song. I won’t know where I am.”

—BILL CLINTON

“When you leave the White House you wonder if you’ll ever draw a crowd again.”

—BILL CLINTON

“A lot of presidential memoirs, they say, are dull and self-serving. I hope mine is interesting and self-serving.”

—BILL CLINTON