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Confidence Quote by John Adams

“I request that they may be considered in confidence, until the members of Congress are fully possessed of their contents, and shall have had opportunity to deliberate on the consequences of their publication; after which time, I submit them to your wisdom.” quote by John Adams
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“I request that they may be considered in confidence, until the members of Congress are fully possessed of their contents, and shall have had opportunity to deliberate on the consequences of their publication; after which time, I submit them to your wisdom.”

John Adams

About This Quote

Source Letter: Correspondence with Thomas Jefferson, 1795

Adams asks for confidentiality until Congress fully reviews the material and its impacts.

In simple terms: Keep documents private until lawmakers examine them.

Key Takeaway

Delay publication until thorough review.

Themes

confidentiality legislature responsibility

Mood

cautious formal

Type

political historical

When to use this quote

  • policy drafting
  • legal review
  • government oversight

Key Concepts

political process information control

Questions to Reflect On

  • Should secrecy ever outweigh public right to know?
  • How to balance oversight with openness?
A Different Perspective

Transparency may be delayed by secrecy.

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