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Defeat appears to me preferable to total inaction.

John Quincy Adams

A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Desire Discover Early Heart Man Praise Recognition
No man is entirely free from weakness and imperfection in this life.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Freedom Imperfection Life Man Weakness
Gratitude, warm, sincere, intense, when it takes possession of the bosom, fills the soul to overflowing and scarce leaves room for any other sentiment or thought.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Gratitude Leaving Soul Thinking
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak, and that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all His laws.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Beyond God Greatness Law Power Service Soul Thinking
If the fundamental principles in the Declaration of Independence, as self-evident truths, are real truths, the existence of slavery, in any form, is a wrong.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Existence Fundamental Independence Principle Slave Truth Wrong
Democracy, pure democracy, has at least its foundation in a generous theory of human rights.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Democracy Foundation Human Right Theory
Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Knowledge Liberty People
I read my eyes out and can’t read half enough neither. The more one reads the more one sees we have to read.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Eyes Myself Reading See
Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Forever Liberty Lost
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Alone Lost Principle Reflection Vote
The will of the people is the source and the happiness of the people the end of all legitimate government upon earth.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Earth Government Happiness People Willing
We understand now, we’ve been made to understand, and to embrace the understanding that who we are is who we were.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Philosophy Understand
Move or die is the language of our Maker in the constitution of our bodies.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Body Death Language Ourselves
Virtue is not always amiable.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

One Liner Virtue
Defeat appears to me preferable to total inaction.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Appearance Defeat
To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Goodness Right Spiritual

Defeat appears to me preferable to total inaction.

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Defeat appears to me preferable to total inaction.

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