Great John Adams quote:

[ixion]

"There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty."
-- John Adams

You can always tell a good quote, because it's timeless.

I sure wish we would heed the words of our founding fathers more often. :-(

[ginnyinWI]

1. it's a good one

In fact, I had already copied that quote out of the book I'm reading, which is David McCullough's biography of John Adams. Good reading!

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. John Paul Jones quote

"If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery."

[SaveElmer]

3. Well...be somewhat careful...

Another John Adams gem...

"Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide. "

Of course Democracy as John Adams understood the term and as it is used now are completely different. But some of these quotes need a bit of context

[ixion]

8. sure... you have to take things in context

and as pointed out below, Adams wasn't the end all be all. But I liked the quote nonetheless, and think it is timeley. :hi:

[SaveElmer]

11. Yeah I agree...

I actually am a big fan of Adams...really unappreciated as the true genius behind independence. There is an effort underway to get a monument to him, Abigail, and John Quincy here in DC. Congress passed the law authorizing it and I think they are raising money now.

[MatrixEscape]

4. Yikes!

Adams was a pre-Bush Bush! Know your history. It is repeating itself!

Thank goodness Jefferson won the Presidency and Adams was humble enough to admit the Alien and Sedions act was a mistake!

Go to Sensibly Eclectic for a recent article, referred to there. Here is a quote:

"As we examine the historical events surrounding the Federalists' and Adams' attempt to impose the first "Patriot Act" on the American people, and their resounding defeat as tyrants, we'll discover noteworthy parallels between their despotism and that of Bush II. We'll thus gain insight into how such a dictator and his party can be brought down."

I mean, tha is open to debate by more scholastic historians here, but it is a good place to start!

[ixion]

7. not saying the guy was perfect...only that I thought the quote rang true

but I see your point. Thanks. :-)

[MatrixEscape]

10. My apology ...

I wasn't intending to denigrate that relevant quote and the message you convey.

There are so many TJ quotes, (as I am rather biased towards him in these troubling times) as well. While not perfect, TJ seemed to act more in accord with the quotes attributed to him.

Glad you saw the point and again, sorry. I should have noted the value and your obvious intent. It did provide a good segue into historical insights, however.

[ixion]

12. no problem at all... thanks!

:hi:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. Thanks for sharing that one.

http://www.mwscomp.com/sounds/mp3/galaxy.mp3

[EFerrari]

6. Keeper. Thank you.

:kick:

[ixion]

9. sure thing...

happy to pass it along. :hi: