Harry Truman.

When President Truman retired from office in 1952, his income was
substantially a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year
Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking
them, granted him an "allowance" and, later, a retroactive pension of
$25,000 per year.

When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating,
"You don't want me.
You want the office of the president, and that doesn't belong to me.
It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the
Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing,
"I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.

Was good old Harry Truman correct when he observed,
"My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference. I, for one, believe
the piano player job to be much more honorable than current politicians."