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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
Cannot
Private
Government
Foundation
Without
Exist
Nation
Virtue
Liberty
Republics
Public
Virtuous
Nations
Republic

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Power in any Form . . . when directed only by human Wisdom and Benevolence is dangerous.
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In every society where property exists there will ever be a struggle between rich and poor. Mixed in one assembly, equal laws can never be expected they will either be made by the member to plunder the few who are rich, or by the influence to fleece the many who are poor.
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But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
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We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!
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Modesty is a virtue that can never thrive in public.
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They shall not be expected to acknowledge us until we have acknowledged ourselves.
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[T]he liberty, the unalienable, indefeasible rights of men, the honor and dignity of human nature, the grandeur and glory of the public, and the universal happiness of individuals, were never so skillfully and successfully consulted as in that most excellent monument of human art, the common law of England.
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He is too illiterate, unread, unlearned for his station and reputation.
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All great changes are irksome to the human mind, especially those which are attended with great dangers and uncertain effects.
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I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.
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Vanity, I am sensible, is my cardinal vice and cardinal folly and I am in continual danger, when in company, of being led an ignis fatuus chase by it.
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I wish I could lay down beside her and die too.
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Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
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Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and I shall die abhorring.
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I drink no cider, but feast on Philadelphia beer.
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There's no such thing as a free lunch, unless you have a coupon for a free lunch...or someone gives you a lunch...never mind.
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What havoc, said I to myself, would these manners make in America! Our governors, our judges, our senators or representatives, and even our ministers, would be appointed by harlots, for money and their judgments, decrees, and decisions, be sold to repay themselves, or, perhaps, to procure the smiles of profligate females.
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I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen.
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Slavery is a foul contagion in the human character.
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