"Liberty, according to my metaphysics, is an intellectual quality, an attribute that belongs not to fate nor chance. Neither possesses it, neither is capable of it. There is nothing moral or immoral in the idea of it. The definition of it is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power; it can elect between objects, indifferent in point of morality, neither morally good nor morally evil. "
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John Adams (more quotes by John Adams or books by/about John Adams) |
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(1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President |
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Letter to John Taylor 16 April 1814 |
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Categories: |
America, Founder, Free Thought, Liberty, Morality, Morals, President, Reason, Self-Determination, Wisdom |
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