Men of intelligence, talent, and even of integrity upon other occasions, surrender themselves to their passions, believe anything, with and without, and even against evidence, according as it suits their own wishes.
Quincy critiques how intelligent individuals can be swayed by their emotions and biases.
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More from Josiah Quincy
His spirit of liberty was fostered and inspired by the writings of Milton, Sydney, and Locke, of which the American Declaration of Independence was an emanation, and the constitution of the United States, with the exception of the clauses…
He knew how little a majority of the men of his own time were disposed or qualified to estimate his character with justice.
The spirit of freedom and the spirit of slavery are drawing together for the deadly conflict of arms.
They have transmitted that freedom to you; and upon you now devolves the duty of transmitting it unimpaired to your posterity.
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