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History is not a web woven with innocent hands. Among all the causes which degrade and demoralize men, power is the most constant and most active.

Abigail Adams

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Abigail Adams
Age: 73 †
Born: 1744
Born: November 22
Died: 1818
Died: October 28
First Lady
Politician
Weymouth
Massachusetts
Abigail Smith
Abigail Smith Adams
Hands
Woven
Power
Innocent
Men
Historical
Active
Constant
Among
Causes
Demoralize
History
Degrade

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We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.
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I feel anxious for the fate of our monarchy, or democracy, or whatever is to take place. I soon get lost in a labyrinth of perplexities but, whatever occurs, may justice and righteousness be the stability of our times, and order arise out of confusion. Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.
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O, I have read his Heart in his wicked eyes many a time. The very devil is in them.
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Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.
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The great fish swallow up the small and he who is most strenuous for the rights of the people, when vested with power, is as eager after the prerogatives of government.
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The house shakes...with the roar of the cannon. No sleep for me tonight.
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A people fired ... with love of their country and of liberty, a zeal for the public good, and a noble emulation of glory, will not be disheartened or dispirited by a succession of unfortunate events. But like them, may we learn by defeat the power of becoming invincible.
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Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could.
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These are the times when a genius wants to live.
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What is the history of mighty kingdoms and nations, but a detail of the ravages and cruelties of the powerful over the weak?
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A little of what you call frippery is very necessary towards looking like the rest of the world.
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Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.
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A people may let a king fall, yet still remain a people, but if a king let his people slip from him, he is no longer a king.
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The habits of a vigorous mind are born in contending with difficulties.
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The reins of government have been so long slackened, that I fear the people will not quietly submit to those restraints which are necessary for the peace and security of the community.
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Men of sense in all ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your sex.
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It is to me a most affecting thing to hear myself prayed for, in particular as I do every day in the week, and disposes me to bear with more composure, some disagreeable circumstances that attend my situation.
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What is meat for one is not for another--no accounting for fancy.
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The Character which a youth acquires in the early part of his Life is of great importance towards his future prosperity-one false step may prove irretrievable to his future usefulness.
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Let your observations and comparisons produce in your mind an abhorrence of domination and power, the parent of slavery, ignorance, and barbarism, which places man upon a level with his fellow tenants of the woods.
Abigail Adams