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Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.

John Adams

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John Adams
Age: 90 †
Born: 1735
Born: October 19
Died: 1826
Died: July 4
2Nd U.S. President
Diplomat
Lawyer
Political Philosopher
Politician
Statesperson
Braintree
Massachusetts
President Adams
J. Adams
President John Adams
Without
Exist
Nation
Virtue
Liberty
Republics
Public
Virtuous
Nations
Republic
Cannot
Private
Government
Foundation

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People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity.
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Facts are stubborn things and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence: nor is the law less stable than the fact.
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If national pride is ever justifiable or excusable it is when it springs, not from power or riches, grandeur or glory, but from conviction of national innocence, information and benevolence.
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Grief drives men into habits of serious reflection, sharpens the understanding, and softens the heart
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The way to secure liberty is to place it in the people's hands, that is, to give them the power at all times to defend it in the legislature and in the courts of justice.
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The idea of infidelity [a disbelief in the inspiration of the Scriptures or the divine origin of Christianity] cannot be treated with too much resentment or too much horror. The man who can think of it with patience is a traitor in his heart and ought to be execrated [denounced] as one who adds the deepest hypocrisy to the blackest treason.
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During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.
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Riches attract attention, consideration, and congratulations of mankind.
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One sailor will do us more good than two soldiers.
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Set before us the conduct of our own British ancestors, who defended for us the inherent rights of mankind against foreign and domestic tyrants and usurpers, against arbitrary kings and cruel priests in short against the gates of earth and hell.
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Borrowed eloquence, if it contains as good stuff, is as good as own eloquence
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The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation: The doctrine of a supreme, intelligent sovereign of the universe, I believe to be the great essential principle of all morality, and consequently of all civilization.
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There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.
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The rights of Englishmen are derived from God, not from king or Parliament, and would be secured by the study of history, law, and tradition.
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Modesty is a virtue that can never thrive in public.
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I am determined to control events, not be controlled by them.
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[J]udges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention. Their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests they should not be dependent upon any man, or body of men.
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I had heard my father say that he never knew a piece of land run away or break.
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We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!
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