Josiah Quincy

Adams replied, "that we ought not to yield to Georgia, because we could not do so without gross injustice; and that, as to her being driven to support General Jackson, he felt little care about that.

Neutrality towards parties is the proper policy of a President in office.

In the balance of politics it is seldom wise to make one scale preponderate by weights taken from another.

On this suggestion he remarked: "A conciliatory course, so far as may be compatible with self-respect, is proper and necessary towards all; but, in the protracted agony of character and reputation which it is the will of a superior power I…

Adams, then Secretary of State, pronounced that law "as being against the constitution, treaties, and laws, and incompatible with the rights of all nations in amity with the United States.

Thus, in November, 1825, when he was urged by some of his influential friends to put into his message something soothing to South Carolina, he replied: "South Carolina has put it out of my power.

The firmness of these principles was put to frequent trial during his Presidency, but his resolution never wavered.

Adams; but his spirit was of a temper which chose rather to fall in upholding the constitution of his country on its true and pure principles, than to become the abettor of corruption, and participator in its wages, for the sake of power.

To this disposition justice must sometimes make resistance, and policy must often yield.

It becomes thus impossible to fill any vacancy in appointment without offending one half of the community--the Federalists, if their associate is overlooked; the Republicans, if he be preferred.

An invidious and inquisitorial scrutiny into the personal disposition of public officers will creep through the whole Union, and the most sordid and selfish passions will be kindled into activity, to distort the conduct and misrepresent…

I can justify the refusal to adopt this policy only by the steadiness and consistency of my adhesion to my own.

It is that of discarding every remnant of rancor against each other, of embracing as countrymen and friends, and of yielding to talents and virtue alone that confidence which, in times of contention for principle, was bestowed only on…

These qualifications weighed nothing in the scale of popular opinion and prejudice.

His talents were unquestionable, and a long career in public life rendered him more conspicuous and suitable for the office than any other statesman of the period.

The humiliation of failure will be so much more than compensated by the safety in which it will leave me, that I ought to regard it as a consummation devoutly to be wished.

He who is equal to the task of serving a nation as her chief ruler must possess resources of a power to serve her, even against her own will.

If I am able to bear success, I must be tempered to endure defeat.

Yet a man qualified for the duties of chief magistrate of ten millions of people should be a man proof alike to prosperous and adverse fortune.

But who can hold a firebrand in his hand by thinking of the frosty Caucasus?

Were it possible to look with philosophical indifference to the event, that is the temper of mind to which I should aspire.

Adams there were sanguine hopes of his success; on which he remarked: "We know so little of that in futurity which is best for ourselves, that whether I ought to wish for success is among the greatest uncertainties of the election.

Adams remarked, "there are two sources of eloquence: the one, with reference to sentiment and enthusiasm; the other, to action.

The people took the nomination of President into their own hands, and the insolent assumption of members of Congress to dictate their choice in respect of this office was henceforth rebuked.

The best actions may be, and have been, and will be, traced to impure sources, by those to whom troubled waters are a delight.