Admire and adore the Author of the telescopic universe, love and esteem the work, do all in your power to lessen ill, and increase good, but never assume to comprehend.
John AdamsRead
There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that control can be achieved through military force or financial dependency.
John Adams highlights the idea that a nation can be dominated not only through physical violence but also through economic manipulation. By pointing out these two methods of subjugation, he warns of the potential for financial systems to oppress and control a society just as much as armed conflict can.
Themes
ControlDebtSwordCountryPower
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate concerning economic policies.
More from John Adams
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Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.
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Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
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The furnace of affliction produces refinement, in states as well as individuals.
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Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.
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