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About this quote

What does it mean?
Adams offers a prayer for honest and wise leadership in a house, hoping future occupants are virtuous.
In plain terms
He wishes only honest, wise men will ever rule there.
What can you take from it?
Seek and support integrity in leadership.

Where it applies

  • political appointments
  • organizational leadership

Putting it to work

  • voting for reputable candidates
  • establishing integrity standards

Questions to consider

  • How can we ensure leaders remain honest?
  • What safeguards protect against unwise rule?

Another view

Even honest leaders can make mistakes; vigilance remains necessary.

More from John Adams

  1. We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, …

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. I had heard my father say that he never knew a piece of land run away or break.

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. I read my eyes out and can't read half enough. ... The more one reads the more one sees we have to read.

    Permalink to quote #24

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