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There never was yet a people who must not have somebody or something to represent the dignity of the state, the majesty of the people, call it what you will - a doge, an avoyer, an archon, a president, a consul, a syndic this becomes at once an object of ambition and dispute, and, in time, of division, faction, sedition, and rebellion.

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
People
Call
Division
Consul
State
Represent
Sedition
President
Object
Faction
States
Dignity
Dispute
Must
Ambition
Factions
Something
Objects
Disputes
Never
Becomes
Majesty
Time
Somebody
Rebellion

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The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation.
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As the happiness of the people is the sole end of government, so the consent of the people is the only foundation of it.
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While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little better understood, little better practiced now than three or four thousand years ago.
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Borrowed eloquence, if it contains as good stuff, is as good as own eloquence
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Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. Aristotle speaks plainly to this purpose, saying, 'that the institution of youth should be accommodated to that form of government under which they live forasmuch as it makes exceedingly for the preservation of the present government, whatsoever it be.
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When philosophic reason is clear and certain by intuition or necessary induction, no subsequent revelation supported by prophecies or miracles can supersede it.
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The Declaration of Independence I always considered as a theatrical show. Jefferson ran away with all the stage effect of that... and all the glory of it.
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When you see a good move, sit on your hands and find a better one.
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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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I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman.
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We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!
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Human passions unbridled by morality and religion...would break the stronges cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.
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They shall not be expected to acknowledge us until we have acknowledged ourselves.
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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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Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
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Virtue is not always amiable.
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Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.
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I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation.
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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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Mr. Jefferson has reason to reflect upon himself. How he will get rid of his remorse in his retirement, I know not. He must know that he leaves the government infinitely worse than he found it, and that from his own error or ignorance.
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