John Quincy Adams

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John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848) was an American lawyer, diplomat, politician, and the 6th President of the United States.

Sourced quotes

  • "All men profess honesty as long as they can. To believe all men honest would be folly. To believe none so is something worse."[1]
Simple: All men try to make people think they are honest. They do that as long as they can. It is a bad idea to believe that all men are honest. It is an even worse idea to believe that no men are honest.
  • "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."[2]
Simple: When you vote, always vote for what is right. You may be the only person voting for something, but you can be happy forever with the sweetest thought that your vote is never lost.
  • "America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy."[3]
Simple: America does not go to other countries to look for big, bad animals to kill.
About the quote: Speech, July 4 1821.
  • "Patience and perseverance have a magical affect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."[4]
Simple: Being able to wait nicely and being able to continue trying have a magic feeling. In front of that magic feeling, troubles disappear and things that were in the way, blocking the path, also disappear.
  • "Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."[5]
Simple: To the people who will live after me: You will never know how much it cost us (the people who are living at the same time as me or about the same age as me) to make sure you continue to have freedom. I hope you will use that freedom in many good ways.
  • "This is the last of earth! I am content."[3]
What it means: This is the end of my life! I am okay with it.
About the quote: Last words, February 23 1848.
  • "The extremes of opulence and of want are more remarkable, and more constantly obvious, in this country than in any other I ever saw."[3]
Simple: The extremes of wealth and want of goods are more unusual, and more regularly clear, in this country than in any other I have ever seen.
About the quote: Diary entry about England, November 8, 1816.
  • "Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been unfurled, there will [America's] heart, her benedictions, and her prayers be."[3]
Simple: Where the norm of freedom and independence has been unfolded, there will be [America's] heart, her praise, and her prayers.
About the quote: Speech, July 4 1821.
  • "Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity!"[6]
Simple: Think of your ancestors! Think of your future generations!
About the quote: Speech at Plymouth, 22 December 1802.
  • "Where annual elections end where slavery begins."[7]
Simple: When yearly elections are stopped, then slavery will start.

Notes

  1. Quote Junkie: Words To Live By Edition. Hagopian Institute, Page 67. ISBN 1434895874. 
  2. Nickell, Kelly (2005). Pocket Patriot. Writer's Digest Books, Page 81. ISBN 1582973709. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Adams, John Quincy" The Oxford Dictionary of American Quotation. Hugh Rawson and Margaret Miner. Oxford University Press 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Accessed on 22 November 2008
  4. (2008) Disappear: Webster’s Quotations, Facts and Phrases. Icon Group International, Inc, Page 1. ISBN 0546656218. 
  5. Savage, Michael (2003). The Savage Nation. Thomas Nelson Inc, Page 33. ISBN 0785263535. 
  6. "Adams, John Quincy" The Oxford Dictionary Quotations. Ed. Elizabeth Knowles. Oxford University Press 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Accessed on 22 November 2008
  7. McLellan, Vernon K. (2000). Wise Words and Quotes. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, Page 281. ISBN 0842336710. 

References

  • "Adams, John Quincy" The Oxford Dictionary of American Quotation. Hugh Rawson and Margaret Miner. Oxford University Press 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Accessed on 22 November 2008
  • "Adams, John Quincy" The Oxford Dictionary Quotations. Ed. Elizabeth Knowles. Oxford University Press 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Accessed on 22 November 2008

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