Imperfect civilization, in all stages of human society, shackles itself with fanatical prejudices of exclusive favor to its own occupations; as the owner of a plantation with a hundred slaves believes the summit of human virtue to be attained only by independent farmers, cultivators of the soil.
Quincy reflects on how societal prejudices can distort perceptions of virtue and value in labor.
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Adams replied: "I have no hesitation to say I hold that act unconstitutional and void.
They have transmitted that freedom to you; and upon you now devolves the duty of transmitting it unimpaired to your posterity.
He knew how little a majority of the men of his own time were disposed or qualified to estimate his character with justice.
The argument for the annexation, or reännexation, of Texas is as gross an imposture as ever was palmed upon the credulity of an honest people.
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