John Adams's quotes
Some quotes from the John Adams biography by David McCullough that I am reading:
on equality
"Common sense was sufficient to determine that it could not mean that all men were equal in fact, but in right, not all equally tall, strong, wise, handsome, active, but equally men (people)...the work of the same Artist, children in the same cases entitled to the same justice"
the adjustment is mine,more inclusive
on encouraging the reading of poetry (to his son John Quincy Adams)
"Read somewhat in the English poets every day. You will find them elegant, entertaining, and constructive companions through your whole life. ..You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket. You will never have an idle hour"
In his defense of British soldiers involved in the "misnamed" Boston "Massacre"..."Better that many guilty persons escape unpunished than one innocent person should be punished. The reason is, because it's of more important to community, that the innocence should be protected, than it is, that the guilt should be punished"..He took considerable flack for that , and for getting 6 of 8 soldiers acquited ...but when you look at the historical details (as opposed to the hype) he was right.
He clearly did not see government as the enemy, or the problem (ala the Reagan quote),
"Government is nothing more than the combined force of society, or the united power of the multitude, for the peace, order, safety, good and happiness of the people"...or as the Preamble to the Constitution puts it "We the People....do establish and ordain this Constitution"
On his profession as a lawyer,
"Now to what higher object, to what greater character, can any mortal aspire than to be possessed of all this knowledge, well digested and ready at command, to assist the feeble and friendless, to discountenance the haughty and lawless, to procure redress to wrongs, the advancement of right, to assert and maintain liberty and virtue, to discourage and abolish tyranny and vice?"
and, on the French Revolution, and the dangers of relying just on the "will of the people" without consideration of principles of law...he said, after the execution of King Louis XVI and the beginnings to the Reign of Terror in France..."Mankind will in time discover that unbridled majorities are as tyrannical and cruel as unlimited despots" He argued consistently that ours was to be a "government of laws, not of men". Popular opinion and desire was to be considered, but there would be no tyranny of the majority. There would be defense for those who were not in the "mainstream"...something that people really need to remember today.
Just a few quotes for you to ponder. I am 2/3rds of the way through, up to the point when Adams succeeds Washington as President. Fascinating reading (for someone who loves history :)
on equality
"Common sense was sufficient to determine that it could not mean that all men were equal in fact, but in right, not all equally tall, strong, wise, handsome, active, but equally men (people)...the work of the same Artist, children in the same cases entitled to the same justice"
the adjustment is mine,more inclusive
on encouraging the reading of poetry (to his son John Quincy Adams)
"Read somewhat in the English poets every day. You will find them elegant, entertaining, and constructive companions through your whole life. ..You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket. You will never have an idle hour"
In his defense of British soldiers involved in the "misnamed" Boston "Massacre"..."Better that many guilty persons escape unpunished than one innocent person should be punished. The reason is, because it's of more important to community, that the innocence should be protected, than it is, that the guilt should be punished"..He took considerable flack for that , and for getting 6 of 8 soldiers acquited ...but when you look at the historical details (as opposed to the hype) he was right.
He clearly did not see government as the enemy, or the problem (ala the Reagan quote),
"Government is nothing more than the combined force of society, or the united power of the multitude, for the peace, order, safety, good and happiness of the people"...or as the Preamble to the Constitution puts it "We the People....do establish and ordain this Constitution"
On his profession as a lawyer,
"Now to what higher object, to what greater character, can any mortal aspire than to be possessed of all this knowledge, well digested and ready at command, to assist the feeble and friendless, to discountenance the haughty and lawless, to procure redress to wrongs, the advancement of right, to assert and maintain liberty and virtue, to discourage and abolish tyranny and vice?"
and, on the French Revolution, and the dangers of relying just on the "will of the people" without consideration of principles of law...he said, after the execution of King Louis XVI and the beginnings to the Reign of Terror in France..."Mankind will in time discover that unbridled majorities are as tyrannical and cruel as unlimited despots" He argued consistently that ours was to be a "government of laws, not of men". Popular opinion and desire was to be considered, but there would be no tyranny of the majority. There would be defense for those who were not in the "mainstream"...something that people really need to remember today.
Just a few quotes for you to ponder. I am 2/3rds of the way through, up to the point when Adams succeeds Washington as President. Fascinating reading (for someone who loves history :)