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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?

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
Better
Foundation
Every
General
Men
Whose
Principles
Calculated
Virtue
Promote
Happiness
Sober
Form
Acknowledge
Government
Principle

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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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Grief drives men into habits of serious reflection, sharpens the understanding, and softens the heart
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It would be an absurdity for jurors to be required to accept the judge's view of the law, against their own opinion, judgment, and conscience.
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Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society.
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This is a revolution, damn it! We're going to have to offend somebody!
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You are apprehensive of monarchy I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.
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Riches attract attention, consideration, and congratulations of mankind.
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Thomas Jefferson survives.
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A government of laws, and not of men.
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The foundations of national morality must be laid in private families.
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The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.
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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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Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.
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Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.
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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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Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it.
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[You have Rights] antecedent to all earthly governments: Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws Rights, derived from the Great Legislator of the universe.
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He is too illiterate, unread, unlearned for his station and reputation.
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To believe all men honest is folly. To believe none is something worse.
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The right of a nation to kill a tyrant, in cases of necessity, can no more be doubted, than to hang a robber, or kill a flea. But killing one tyrant only makes way for worse, unless the people have sense, spirit and honesty enough to establish and support a constitution guarded at all points against the tyranny of the one, the few, and the many.
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