[Professional Engineer]

His book Johm Adams. was very good. It was interesting reading about the personalities and personal conflicts. A numkber of things are memorable, but this quote, from a letter to John Quincy, really struck me.

Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or other. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not. A young man should weigh well his plans. Integrity should be preserved in all events, as essential to his happiness, through every stage of his existence. His first maxim should be to place his honor out of reach of all men. In order to do this he must make it a rule never to become dependent on public employments for subsistence. Let him have a trade, a profession, a farm, a shop, something where he can honestly live, and then he may engage in public affairs, if invited, upon independent principles. My advice to my children is to maintain an independent character.

[wagglebee]

His book on Adams was one of the best books I've ever read.

[skr]

If only all Americans acted upon that magnificent advice.