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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.

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
Sensible
Vice
Folly
Vanity
Vices
Cardinal
Danger
Cardinals
Company
Continual
Chase

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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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The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.
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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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Individuals have conquered themselves. Nations and large bodies of men, never.
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It is folly to anticipate evils, and madness to create imaginary ones.
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The appearance of religion only on Sunday proves that it is only an appearance.
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I am determined to control events, not be controlled by them.
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There are persons whom in my heart I despise, others I abhor. Yet I am not obliged to inform the one of my contempt, nor the other of my detestation. This kind of dissimulation...is a necessary branch of wisdom, and so far from being immoral...that it is a duty and a virtue.
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The History of our Revolution will be one continued Lye from one End to the other. The Essence of the whole will be that Dr Franklins electrical Rod, Smote the Earth and out Spring General Washington. That Franklin electrified him with his Rod - and thence forward these two conducted all the Policy Negotiations Legislation and War.
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Ambition is one of the ungovernable passions of the human heart. The love of power is insatiable and uncontrollable.
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I desire no other inscription over my gravestone than: 'Here lies John Adams, who took upon himself the responsibility of peace with France in the year 1800'.
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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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Mystery is made a convenient Cover for absurdity.
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The frightful engines of ecclesiastical councils, of diabolical malice, and Calvinistical good-nature never failed to terrify me exceedingly whenever I thought of preaching.
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Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.
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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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Power must never be trusted without a check.
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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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They shall not be expected to acknowledge us until we have acknowledged ourselves.
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There is not an enemy so stout, as to storm and take the fortress of the mind, Unless its infirmity turn traitor, and Fear unbar the gates.
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