“The first of qualities for a great statesman is to be honest. And if it were possible that this opinion were an error, I should rather carry it with me to my grave than to believe that a man cannot be statesman without being dishonest.”
Oh my…were our second President to see us now….it would be such a disgrace. Of course, this passion for honesty is really part of why Adams has long lingered as a second tier President, rather than in the top 10 (where he easily should be). His Christianity shaped his character in such a way, when added to his temperament for directness, that he would always be honest even if it cost him in the court of public opinion. Would that we could, as a country, champion once again a desire for honest men and women to lead us.