Reuters fact checkers state:   The quote comes from a 1916 work by William J. H. Boetcker in a 1916 booklet called Inside Maxims, which later became known as the Ten Cannots.
Where ever it came from...it speaks the truth...

It doesn't change the sentence which is true.

The collapse of America appears to be progressing...perhaps are return to first principles would restore this nation???

Most state issues have been usurped by the federal government and the people have been ignorant of their own laws of the land. America will only survive if complete turn around to original constitutional law is returned to this nation. This will likely never happen as people in general believe their government means them no harm when that is the furthest thing from the truth...those in the federal government have 2 interests: power and money...at taxpayers expense. Today, if anyone wished to take a look at a score card of who in Congress adheres to his/her Oath of Office they will find it is less than 10% of the people they elected. Sadly, the people re-elect these same miscreants for years on end proving the old adage that we (the people) get the government we deserve. There are many score cards available to those who search, but the only one that bases the scores on adherence to the US Constitution, which all gov. employees swear an Oath to support and defend is found in the Freedom Index put out by New American magazine. There may be others, but I have yet to locate one. So the quote is great. The congressional adherence sucks.

a perfect picture of EQUITY!

Should America wish to survive, it will only do so if we determine in great unity to once again put to work the original laws of this land. They are neither outdated nor are they without power for the people. At this time arrogant and ignorant people are stealing our liberty by stomping on the US Constitution and Bill of Rights and in so doing, they are placing a boot upon the neck of each American. If you don't feel the heaviness of that boot, we will never save our country.

The USA is NOT a democracy...it is a representative REPUBLIC Why is this so hard for people to understand? These are 2 very different philosophies. Ignorance isn't funny, its horrifying.

Peter Pans....

Reality does not make this quote a bad one, Don. It merely speaks to the reality of humankind. Brainwashed and brain-dead people are who and what have collapsed nations...and we witness history repeating today. Recall, only a virtuous people are capable of liberty...have you taken a look at our leaders today???

14 years later we know how true Mike's words were as our current administration works diligently to destroy the USA and build an army within her non-existent borders...we repeat the fall of Rome in the USA facilitated by those who live among us and serve themselves in high places.

...and why the Founders give the USA a REPUBLIC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJEuZrvNYg0

"If some people had wings and others didn't, and the government wanted to enforce "fairness," soon no one would have wings. Because wings cannot be redistributed, they can only be broken. Likewise, a government edict cannot make people smarter or more capable, but it can impede the growth of those with the potential. Wouldn't it be fair if, in the name of equality, we scar the beautiful, cripple the athletes, lobotomize the scientists, blind the artists, and sever the hands of the musicians? Why not?" Oleg Atbashian (1960-) born in USSR, teacher, artist, journalist immigrated to USA in 1994 Source: Shakedown Socialism by Oleg Atbashian copyright 2009 Greenleaf Press pp 90-91

You mean they LIE??? SMEAR??? and CHEAT??? That is startling. what ever happened to integrity, kindness, honesty?

There are so many Marvin Cooley's listed in the papers, I can't guess which one this is. It would be good to know a little more about him: Birth, occupation, etc to show which he is in the list of people with the same name.

The shortest explanation of the 10th Amendment....

Webster's quote: "Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." -- Daniel Webster (1782-1852), US Senator

Without learning the history of this nation, this statement alone is a little scary...the masses we see growing appear to be moving away from freedom/liberty and appear to embrace a doctrine foreign to what Adams was speaking of. So Adams gets 5 stars for freedom. The federal government gets 2 for public education that destroyed any patriotism. The US appears to follow a media which lies, a government that is so divided leaders and members foment trouble, and an ignorant populace who believes their parents have destroyed the earth and dumped a huge responsibility upon them to 'save' it. They have also learned incorrectly, in the federal education system, that the US is greedy and should join the world society as they have no sense of US history, US Constitution and Bill of Rights, or who their ancestors were. Interesting times we live in. We can thank the UN and the federal education system for pulling the rug of liberty out from under USA society...

No decorum in the US any longer, descent has gone awry, as we have community organizers ginning up those who have learned nothing of who they are or where they came from because the FEDERAL education system sees no need to teach the history of this country or aiding her youth to feel any pride in this country. Shame on the Federal government for this purposeful subversion. Now the youth, and a few who could not embrace personal liberty are rudderless. Each is a Peter Pan, forever a child, who will join the loudest group that will take them in so they have a sense of belonging somewhere in a country that forgot to embrace its youth; teach it to have respect, pride, and self responsibility. We have a culture of people now who have never learned that you must not take other people's stuff, harm other people's property, or harm other people. Listen to the late Yuri Bezmenov (youtube) -he explains how and why this has been a purposeful agenda.

People are programmed to shout one another down. We see it on every 'news' channel each day. Civility is ignored in this country even by those with the floor.

Good quote; would like to know more about the author like age, occupation, source of quote...thank you

Is this the guy who said this?
Benjamin A. Rogge (June 18, 1920 November 17, 1980) was an American economist, college administrator, and libertarian writer, speaker and foundation advisor.

This Paul Johnson? Paul Johnson (1928-) journalist, historian, speechwriter and author

competition, motivation, innovation...how can you lose?

As always, MONEY TALKS...or there would be no Stacknpack housing, no Common Core, no federal land and water grabs, no subsidies for some businesses, no Affordable Care Act, etc...no elected policy makers in office lacking values enuff to honor their Oath once in office.

I have suggested that the dems get a 'participation trophy' so they can wipe their tears and go home....