“It requires time to bring honest Men to think & determine alike even in important Matters. Mankind are governed more by their feelings than by reason.”
Letter to Samuel Cooper (30 April 1776) http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/2093
Context: We cannot make Events. Our Business is wisely to improve them. There has been much to do to confirm doubting Friends & fortify the Timid. It requires time to bring honest Men to think & determine alike even in important Matters. Mankind are governed more by their feelings than by reason.
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Samuel Adams 57
American statesman, Massachusetts governor, and political p… 1722–1803Related quotes

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Variant: Self-importance is our greatest enemy. Think about it - what weakens us is feeling offended by the deeds and misdeeds of our fellowmen. Our self-importance requires that we spend most of our lives offended by someone.
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“More rogues than honest men find shelter under habeas corpus”
1820s Gold treasure United States, 1860s