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John Quincy Adams Quotes

6th U.S. President

John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States, born on July 11, 1767, and died on February 28, 1848. He was a prominent statesman, diplomat, and scholar, known for his extensive knowledge and political experience.

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Famous John Quincy Adams Quotes

“The political system of the United States is essentially extra-European. To stand in firm and cautious independence of all entanglement in the European system has been a cardinal point of their policy under every administration of their government from the peace of 1783 to this day...Every year's experience rivets it more deeply in the principles and opinions of the nation.”

Source: Writings of John Quincey Adams

“The origin of the political relations between the United States and France is coeval with the first years of our independence. The memory of it is interwoven with that of our arduous struggle for national existence. Weakened as it has occasionally been since that time, it can by us never be forgotten, and we should hail with exultation the moment which should indicate a recollection equally friendly in spirit on the part of France.”

Source: John Quincy Adams, 1767-1848; chronology, documents, bibliographical aids

“In the American hemisphere the cause of freedom and independence has continued to prevail, and if signalized by none of those splendid triumphs which had crowned with glory some of the preceding years it has only been from the banishment of all external force against which the struggle had been maintained. The shout of victory has been superseded by the expulsion of the enemy over whom it could have been achieved.”

Ifs Years Has Beens Force Causes Enemy Struggle Victory Glory Independence Triumph Could Have Been Splendid Hemisphere Expulsion Banishment External Forces

Book:John Quincy Adams, 1767-1848; chronology, documents, bibliographical aids

Source: John Quincy Adams, 1767-1848; chronology, documents, bibliographical aids

“America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. Sir Anthony Hopkins portrayal of me was adequate. I do believe that my sideburns were of substantially higher quality, however.”

Believe Wells Doe America Quality Higher Independence Monsters Champion Adequate Hopkins Portrayal Sideburns

Author:John Quincy Adams

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

Wells America Peace Liberty Independence Libertarian Monsters Imperialism Alliances Freedom And Liberty Freedom Liberty Isolationism American Imperialism Enlisting Sea Of Monsters

Book:The origin and principles of the American Revolution compared with the origin and principles of the French Revolution: a facsimile reproduction

Source: The origin and principles of the American Revolution compared with the origin and principles of the French Revolution: a facsimile reproduction

“America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She well knows that by enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standards of freedom.”

“The inconsistency of the institution of domestic slavery with the principles of the Declaration of Independence was seen and lamented . . . no insincerity or hypocrisy can be fairly laid to their charge. Never from their lips was heard one syllable of attempt to justify the institution of slavery. They universally considered it as a reproach fastened upon them by the unnatural step-mother country and they saw that before the principles of the Declaration of Independence slavery, in common with every other mode of oppression, was destined sooner or later to be banished from the earth.”

“[America's] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice.”

Mind Has Beens America Liberty Practice Mankind Policy Glory Independence March Permit Foreign Policy Declaration Motto Shields Intercourse Dominion Spears

Book:John Quincy Adams and American continental empire: letters, papers and speeches

Source: John Quincy Adams and American continental empire: letters, papers and speeches

“Is it not that in the chain of human events, the birthday of a nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”

“Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will be America's heart, her benedictions and her prayers.”

Heart Has Beens America Prayer Standards Independence Benediction

Book:The origin and principles of the American Revolution compared with the origin and principles of the French Revolution: a facsimile reproduction

Source: The origin and principles of the American Revolution compared with the origin and principles of the French Revolution: a facsimile reproduction