Quotes from John Quincy Adams

Law logic -- an artificial system of reasoning, exclusively used in courts of justice, but good for nothing anywhere else.

The harmony of the nation is promoted and the whole Union is knit together by the sentiments of mutual respect, the habits of social intercourse, and the ties of personal friendship formed between the representatives of its several parts in the performance of their service at this metropolis.

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone.

In charity to all mankind, bearing no malice or ill will to any human being, and even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow men, not knowing what they do.

I am a warrior, so that my son may be a merchant, so that his son may be a poet.

Try and fail,but don't fail to try.

America... goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

Though it cost the blood of millions of white men, let it come. Let justice be done.

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

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.

We understand now, we've been made to understand, and to embrace the understanding that who we are is who we were.

To furnish the means of acquiring knowledge is ... the greatest benefit that can be conferred upon mankind. It prolongs life itself and enlarges the sphere of existence.

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.

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.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

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.

Thus situated, the perilous experiment must be made. Let me make it with full deliberations, and be prepared for the consequences.

Of all persecuted sects, the Baptists stand forth as most prominent, simply and only because they aim at a more complete and thorough reform than any others ever attempted. They teach that Christ's kingdom is not of this world; that the church is not a national, political, or provincial establishment; but a congregation of holy men, separated from the world by the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

This is the last of earth! I am content.

It is my wish to fill every moment of my time with some action of the mind which may contribute to the pleasure or the improvement of my fellow creatures.

My toast would be, may our country always be successful, but whether successful or otherwise, always right.

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

When (an advocate) is not thoroughly acquainted with the real strength and weakness of his cause, he knows not where to choose the most impressive argument. When the mark is shrouded in obscurity, the only substitute for accuracy in the aim is in the multitude of the shafts.