Among other things, you could call Henry Clay (1777-1852) a career politician. Virginia born, Clay moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1797. A successful lawyer, noted for his courthouse orations, he was first elected to represent Fayette County in the Kentucky General Assembly. He served multiple terms as a U. S. Senator (appointed at that time by the State legislature), and multiple terms as a U.S. Congressman, being Speaker of the House on three separate occasions. A three time presidential candidate, Clay also served as Secretary of State in the John Quincy Adams administration. Which is a story for another day. Clay's wiki is here. A few quotes from Clay are here:
“Statistics are no substitute for judgement.”
"Of all human powers operating on the affairs of mankind, none is greater than that of competition."
“But if we throw our ports wide open to the admission of foreign productions, free of all duty, what ports of any other foreign nation shall we find open to the free admission of our surplus produce?”
“Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.”
“The time will come when Winter will ask you what you were doing all Summer.”
"If you wish to avoid foreign collision, you had better abandon the ocean."
“Let him who elevates himself above humanity . . . say, if he pleases, "I will never compromise"; but let no one who is not above the frailties of our common nature disdain compromise.”
Previously posted Clay quotes are here
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