Josiah Quincy Quotes

It is by no means improbable that some future textbook, for the use of generations yet unborn, will contain a question something like this: What historical American of the nineteenth century has exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies of his countrymen? And it is by no means impossible that the answer to that interrogatory may be thus written: Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet. And the reply, absurd as it doubtless seems to most men now living, may be an obvious commonplace to their descendants.

When you have a number of disagreeable duties to perform, always do the most disagreeable first.

If this bill passes... as it will be the right of all, so it will be the duty of some, to prepare definitely for a separation, amicably if they can, violently if they must.

Blandishments will not fascinate us, nor will threats of a "halter" intimidate. For, under God, we are determined that wheresoever, whensoever, or howsoever we shall be called to make our exit, we will die free men.

An agricultural life is one eminently calculated for human happiness and human virtue.

If this bill passes . . . as it will be the right of all, so it will be the duty of some, to prepare definitely for a separation, amicably if they can, violently if they must.