I cannot ask of Heaven success, even for my Country, in a Cause where she should be in the wrong — Fiat Justitia, pereat Coelum — My toast would be, may our Country be always successful, but whether successful or otherwise, always right.

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) US President (1825-29)
Letter (1816-08-01) to John Adams
    (Source)

In response to Stephen Decatur's toast (1816-04, at a dinner in Norfolk, Virginia): "Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right, but our country, right or wrong." The last part became a common nationalistic slogan.

The Latin translates as "Let justice be done though Heaven should fall."

 
Added on 1-Feb-04 | Last updated 4-Jul-26
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , , , , ,
More quotes by Adams, John Quincy

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *