Gates closed his speech with a quote from John Adams's letter to his son Thomas, making an argument about the inescapable nature of public service. Public business must always be done by somebody, Adams wrote, and if the wise and honest refuse to do it, others of lesser character will step in to fill the void. Having served eight presidents over 43 years in government, Gates spoke from deep personal experience. He acknowledged that public service had become too mean, too ugly, and too frustrating in many people's eyes, and that politicians often ran for office by running down the very government they hoped to lead. Yet he still believed that public service remained a necessary and honorable calling, and a fulfilling and satisfying opportunity.