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Mankind will in time discover that unbridled majorities are as tyrannical and cruel as unlimited despots.

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
Liberty
Despots
Time
Libertarianism
Unlimited
Cruel
Libertarian
Discover
Majorities
Majority
Unbridled
Mankind
Tyrannical

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God is an essence that we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is got rid of, there never will be any liberal science in the world.
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I must judge for myself, but how can I judge, how can any man judge, unless his mind has been opened and enlarged by reading.
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If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote the general happiness than any other form?
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There is no greater guilt than the unneccessary war.
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It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power.
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Had I been chosen President again, I am certain I could not have lived another year.
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The numbers of men in all ages have preferred ease, slumber, and good cheer to liberty, when they have been in competition.
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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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We hold that each man is the best judge of his own interest.
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As much as I converse with sages and heroes, they have very little of my love and admiration. I long for rural and domestic scene, for the warbling of birds and the prattling of my children.
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I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service.
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Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.
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The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a great Measure, than they have it now. They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty.
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If the multitude is possessed of the balance of real estate, the multitude will have the balance of power, and in that case the multitude will take care of the liberty, virtue, and interest of the multitude in all acts of government.
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It is folly to anticipate evils, and madness to create imaginary ones.
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The die is cast. The people have passed the river and cut away the bridge. Last night three cargoes of tea were emptied into the harbor. This is the grandest event which has ever yet happened since the controversy with Britain opened.
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Individuals have conquered themselves. Nations and large bodies of men, never.
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What other form of government, indeed, can so well deserve our esteem and love?
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Let every sluice of knowledge be opened and set a-flowing.
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The only thing most people do better than anyone else is read their own handwriting.
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