Yes, he did, verbatim!
I have been using this quote frequently in my writings, and have encountered three major situations as follows:
- Most Americans are unaware of this quote.
- Some jumped to correction from “Lye” to “lie”.
- Some argued about its “context.”
Let me elaborate on each …
1. Most Americans are unaware of this quote
You will likely be one of them if you are unfamiliar with my writings.
Why is that?
One main reason: It does not fit the “narrative.” For more, read Media distortion in America over the past 246 years!
2. Some jumped to correction from “Lye” to “lie”
Three main reasons:
- Ignorance: They were unaware of this quote.
- Laziness: They were too lazy to do a simple Google search before judging.
- Prejudice: They did not believe a person with the last name “Li” could possibly write well in English, let alone on such an American topic as the American Revolution.
3. Some argued about its “context”
Below is the full quote.
For more, read Contributor question: A favorite witty quote from the revolutionary era.
4. Discussion
Two perspectives:
- A quote is a quote is a quote!
- You argue about its “context” because you dislike it!
Let me highlight each …
4.1 A quote is a quote is a quote!
Below are three well-known quotes.
Have you ever argued about the “context” in which each was said?
No!
Why not?
Because you either agree, or there is no [easy] way to know the “context” per se!
4.2 You argue about its “context” because you dislike it!
This quote, if widely accepted, will result in re-writing the history of the American Revolution, which may nullify everything you think you know about America, starting with the American Revolution!
Two challenges for you:
- Historians have been arguing about it for the past 200 years, from Benjamin Rush’s character (Delegate Discussion: Benjamin Rush’s Characters) to John Adams’ mindset (From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 4 April 1790). They will continue to do so for a long time …
- I have re-written [parts of] the history of the American Revolution: What is the American Revolution, anyway (V3)? – You be the judge!
5. Two more quotes from John Adams
Are they helpful for you to understand his “mindset” about the American Revolution?
6. More discussion
What, then, is wrong with the history of the American Revolution?
Two huge examples:
- America was built on a pile of lies, with “all men are created equal” being the mother of all lies! For more, read What is the American Revolution, anyway (V3)?
- America was born as a new colonial power. This birth defect is so severe that it may eventually doom America. For more, read Colonial America 1776-2030?
Very broadly, read the image below.
7. Closing
The quote from John Adams is accurate with profound meaning, which may well explain why America is so deeply in trouble today, both at home and abroad (The Monroe Doctrine at age 200)!
America, reform our failing political system, as I have suggested (History 2.0 – China’s Comeback vs. America’s Decline), or face a bloody revolution (A quarter of Americans open to taking up arms against government, poll says)!
