@ Jerry, Huntsville: We sourced this quote to the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. I was disappointed to learn that this quote engraved in stone is a poor paraphrase of several quotes from different letters. See: http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/quotations-jefferson-memorial#Panel_Three

I would ask that posters please stay on point. These are supposed to be comments about the quotes, not verbal attacks upon other posters. If you have got a point to make, then make it. Putting opposing opinions into another's 'mouth' does not make a good argument -- it is merely argumentative and reveals the biases and prejudices of the speaker. By the way, this quote was not in response to the Occupy Wall Streeters. Moral indignation can be found on the right and the left, and there seems to be plenty of it to go around these days. Cheers.

We have created links to the 2 quotes above for future reference:
John Adams 'convenient cover for absurdity' quote
John Adams 'cart-loads of other trumpery' quote.
Thanks for helping us. Cheers.

Thanks to those for pointing out the lack of source for this quote. Your efforts to keep these quotes accurate are appreciated. It appears that this quote is a paraphrase from Adams' diary. There are several entries in February 1756. Here's the one with 'convenient cover for absurdity':

"Major Greene this evening fell into some conversation with me about the Divinity and satisfaction of Jesus Christ. All the argument he advanced was, 'that a mere creature or finite being could not make satisfaction to infinite justice for any crimes,' and that 'these things are very mysterious.' Thus mystery is made a convenient cover for absurdity." -- John Adams
Source: Diary entry of 13 February 1756, referenced in Charles Francis Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes, and Illustrations vol. 2 (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1850) 4, Google Books, 13 Dec. 2010.

As for the word 'car', don't be so quick to judge - the word has been in use since the 1300s. (Where do you think it came from?) Here's the diary entry on 'cart-loads of other trumpery' written five days later:

"Spent an hour in the beginning of the evening at Major Gardiner's, where it was thought that the design of Christianity was not to make men good riddle-solvers, or good mystery-mongers, but good men, good magistrates, and good subjects, good husbands and good wives, good parents and good children, good masters and good servants. The following questions may be answered some time or other, namely, — Where do we find a precept in the Gospel requiring Ecclesiastical Synods? Convocations? Councils? Decrees? Creeds? Confessions? Oaths? Subscriptions? and whole cart-loads of other trumpery that we find religion incumbered with in these days?" -- John Adams
Source: Diary entry, 18 February 1756.

I think a thorough study of John Adams would reveal his Unitarian beliefs and his utter contempt for, well, he said it clearly above. I think it is interesting how quickly a great many 'Christians' cast aspersions and judge others, completely contrary to the precepts of Christianity - hmm, who's pushing an agenda? Cheers.

And thanks to you all who have taken an interest and contributed a full spectrum of views of Liberty and the Responsibility that comes with it. Good dialogue up above. An honest inquiry will eventually reveal the truth - we hope! Your friend, Eric Schaub

The honour is mine, Mike. Thank you for your much appreciated take on things. My faith in the American people is much restored because of the rising numbers of informed citizens like yourself. Thanks for the work you do and the constant vigil you keep - it has made a difference and will continue to do so. Cheers!

Bob, the source has been added: A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law, 1765

Thanks, Reston, for your long time support of this site even though you think that the editors are "part of the problem with liberty in the world today" (whatever that means). This quote is sourced - go look up the rest if you want. I suppose it is safe to assume that you could agree with this quote depending on what the rest of it is. Is it fair to ask what rights we should not be so fixated upon for 'ordinary' Americans? And if I may ask, what is the problem with liberty in this world?

Sorry - the date has been corrected. Thanks.

Sometimes we post quotes to expose their lack of standing. This Judge Greenburg quote has been floating around the internet as proof of a concerted effort to discredit the 2nd Amendment. Thought we'd show it to be spurious.

Please pick an alias and stick with it. Especially if you are going to leave multiple posts for one quote. We have enough anonymous posters. We sincerely appreciate your comments -- better if we can put a name to them. We will soon require some name or town to be entered in order to post comments. Posting under numerous aliases is not permitted. Thanks.

@dick, Liberty Quotes have been going out every weekday since October 1999, and you have been commenting here for many years. Sometimes we repeat sending quotes after 3 or 4 years. This one was previously sent in 2007. We have checked the IP address of the above comment and it appears consistent with other comments made by you in those days. Feel free to amend your posts -- are your views on the matter different today?

Sorry about that, Reston, this quote did go out last month to half the list while the other half of the list got something else. But we wanted to make sure the whole list got it this time. :-)

I knew this quote would be a hit, make waves, and generally provoke. :-) The source has been identified as Brian Piergrossi from his book The Big Glow. But we are going to leave the author listed as 'unknown' for now as that seems more apropos. Enjoy.

jim k, This quote was posted previously 3 years ago. Thanks for sticking around so long. Some words bear repeating. Cheers.

Interestingly enough, few other countries seem to value liberty as much as America. We have searched high and low for liberty quotes from other countries like England, Canada, Australia, etc.. -- perhaps because they are still ruled by a Queen it is difficult to find quotes about independence and freedom. If you have any non-American liberty quotes to recommend, please do not hesitate to send them to us! Cheers.

Would 'Barry Soetro' have been more politically correct? Barack Hussein Obama is his name, and he is known by it around the world. Talk about stirring the pot of racism, Robert - it is all you.

Ron, it is hard to agree with a lengthy and poorly written argument. May I suggest using a spell checker before posting? It is built in to the Google toolbar if you have one. Thank you.

The quote has nothing whatsoever to do with race. It has been my experience that those calling others racist are in fact stirring the racist pot. You should be ashamed of yourself, Robert.

Ron, please, keep your comments brief and to the point of the quote. Long ramblings without commenting on or rating the quote will be deleted. Thanks.

@Walter Clark, thank you for pointing out the error in the quote. The first sentence of this quote is from Justice Theophilus Parsons, and the second sentence is from George Sutherland. The quote has been corrected.

The '...' version of the quote has been replaced with the full version. The citation has also been added.

Just a quick link in the Editor's defense: Obama, Bill Ayers, and FactCheck.Org: All Have Ties To Annenberg Foundation

Ayers tagline has been updated. Agreed that 'mentor' is an implication. Changed to 'personal friend and financial supporter' -- proven facts. The theme of this week's quotes is 'socialism' -- nothing to do with racism whatsoever. Hi, and Bye, Steven.

Thanks, Laura. The quote has been corrected. Cheers.