100+ John Adams Quotes | InspiringQuotes.us

source: - John Adams, Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson (1959). “The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams. 1812-1826”

Topics: Peace, War, Thinking, Unnecessary War

Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.

Topics: Inspirational, Motivational, Suicide

This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.

Topics: Religious, Insightful, Liberty, Anti Religious, Founding

Here is everything which can lay hold of the eye, ear and imagination - everything which can charm and bewitch the simple and ignorant. I wonder how Luther ever broke the spell.

Topics: Eye, Simple, Imagination

I am determined to control events, not be controlled by them.

Topics: Events, Determined, Virtue, I Am Determined

Human passions unbridled by morality and religion...would break the stronges cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.

Topics: Passion, Whales, Morality

When you see a good move, sit on your hands and find a better one.

Topics: Moving, Hands, Chess

Admire and adore the Author of the telescopic universe, love and esteem the work, do all in your power to lessen ill, and increase good, but never assume to comprehend.

Topics: Assuming, Never Assume, Increase

But all provisions that He (God) has made for the gratification of our sensesâ€¦are much inferior to the provision, the wonderful provision that He has made for the gratification of our nobler powers of intelligence and reason. He has given us reason to find out the truth, and the real design and true end of our existence.

Topics: Real, Design, Wonderful

They shall not be expected to acknowledge us until we have acknowledged ourselves.

Topics: Acknowledge, Expected

It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever.

Topics: Law, Ideas, Evil

A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man.

Topics: Patriotic, Heart, Men

Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it.

Topics: Freedom, Patriotic, History

The whole drama of the world is such tragedy that I am weary of the spectacle.

Topics: Drama, Tragedy, World

We cannot insure success, but we can deserve it.

Topics: Virtue, Parliament, Humankind

Everything in life should be done with reflection.

Topics: Reflection, Done, Should

While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little better understood, little better practiced now than three or four thousand years ago.

Topics: Government, Years, Political, Standstill

All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise, not from defects in their Constitution or Confederation, not from want of honor or virtue, so much as from the downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation.

Topics: Money, Nature, Patriotic, Circulation, Our Founding Fathers

The foundations of national morality must be laid in private families.

Topics: Foundation, Morality

Ideology is the science of idiots.

Topics: Idiot, Ideology

No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.

Topics: Men, Office, Presidential

I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.

Topics: 4th Of July, Patriotic, America, Emancipation, Us Independence Day

You may have the bishop pair but I have the ultimate advantage; I am the better player!

Topics: Player, Bishops, May

Make Things rather than Persons the subjects of conversations.

Topics: Conversation, Persons, Subjects

Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially of the lower class of people, are so extremely wise and useful, that, to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant.

Topics: Education, Wise, Learning, Public Education, Liberal Education

There are persons whom in my heart I despise, others I abhor. Yet I am not obliged to inform the one of my contempt, nor the other of my detestation. This kind of dissimulation...is a necessary branch of wisdom, and so far from being immoral...that it is a duty and a virtue.

Topics: Heart, Branches, Kind

When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.

Topics: Freedom, Laughter, Writing, Complete Freedom

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.

Topics: Government, Essence, Political

I wish I could lay down beside her and die too.

Topics: Wish

There is no greater guilt than the unneccessary war.

Topics: War, Guilt

Thanks to God that he gave me stubborness when I know I am right.

Topics: Thanks

Genius is sorrow's child.

Topics: Children, Sorrow, Genius

When legislature is corrupted, the people are undone.

Topics: People, Undone, Legislature

One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three is a Congress.

Topics: Men, Law, Two, Law Firms

Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.

source: - "Who is Bernie Sanders?" by Tom Pappalardo, www.huffingtonpost.com. October 28, 2015.

Topics: Principles, Politics, Stand Alone

There is nothing I dread so much as the division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our constitution.

source: - John Adams (1854). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.511

Topics: Party, Humble, Government, Great Party, Opposition Parties

Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.

source: - John Adams, George A. Peek, Jr. (2003). “The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections”, p.97, Hackett Publishing

Topics: Men, Class, Safety

The destiny of America is to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to all men everywhere.

Topics: Bible, Jesus, Destiny

When economic power became concentrated in a few hands, then political power flowed to those possessors and away from the citizens, ultimately resulting in an oligarchy or tyranny.

Topics: Hands, Political, Citizens, Political Power, Oligarchy

Those who trade liberty for security have neither.

Topics: Liberty, Libertarian, Pro Gun

We have no Constitution which functions in the absence of a moral people

Topics: People, Moral, Constitution

Every problem is an opportunity in disguise.

Topics: Opportunity, Problem, Disguise

We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!

Topics: Bible, God, Religious, Inspirational Patriotic, Christian Heritage

I am a revolutionary, so my son can be a farmer, so his son can be a poet.

Topics: Son, Revolutionary, Poet

The date will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

source: - Letter to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776

Topics: Sports, 4th Of July, Believe, Devotion To God, Dependence On God

My God! This is a revolution! We have to offend someone!

Topics: Religion, Revolution

Mankind will in time discover that unbridled majorities are as tyrannical and cruel as unlimited despots.

Topics: Libertarian Party, Liberty, Majority, Despots

The most sensible and jealous people are so little attentive to government that there are no instances of resistance until repeated, multiplied oppressions have placed it beyond a doubt that their rulers had formed settled plans to deprive them of their liberties; not to oppress an individual or a few, but to break down the fences of a free constitution, and deprive the people at large of all share in the government, and all the checks by which it is limited.

Topics: Jealous, Government, People, Jealous People

Nothing is more dreaded than the national government meddling with religion.

source: - John Adams, Benjamin Rush (1892). “Old Family Letters: Copied from the Originals for Alexander Biddle... Series A-[B]”

Topics: Religious, Government, Religion, Founding Fathers Atheist, Founding Fathers Religion

When public virtue is gone, when the national spirit is fled the republic is lost in essence, though it may still exist in form

source: - John Adams (1854). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.603

Topics: Essence, Gone, Republic

Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it. And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence for ever!

Topics: Believe, Heart, Blessing, Moral Ethics

Liberty can no more exist without virtue and independence than the body can live and move without a soul.

source: - John Adams, Daniel LEONARD, Jonathan SEWALL (1819). “Novanglus and Massachusettensis; or, political essays, published in ... 1774 and 1775, on the principal points of controversy, between Great Britain and her colonies; the former by John Adams ... the latter by Jonathan Sewall [or rather, Daniel Leonard] ... To which are added a number of letters lately written by President Adams to the Hon. William Tudor, etc”, p.25

Topics: Moving, Soul, Independence, American Liberty

Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice.

source: - "A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law" by John Adams, teachingamericanhistory.org. 1765.

Topics: Names, Hypocrisy, Suffering, Pretense, Different Names

But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations ... This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.

source: - Letter to Hezekiah Niles, 13 Feb. 1818

Topics: Religious, Real, War, American Revolution, 4th Of July Wishes

[D]emocracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man's life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable cruelty of one or a very few.

Topics: Eye, Men, Intellectual, Wanton

As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] ... it is declared ... that no pretext arising from religious opinion shall ever product an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.... The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or a Mohammedan nation.

Topics: Christian, Country, Religious, State Government, Deism

Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people. When the people give way, their deceivers, betrayers and destroyers press upon them so fast that there is no resisting afterwards. The nature of the encroachments is to, grow every day more encroaching; like a cancer, it eats faster and faster every hour.

source: - John Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.43

Topics: Cancer, People, Giving, Deceiver, Encroachment

We should be unfaithful to ourselves if we should ever lose sight of the danger to our Liberties if anything partial or extraneous should infect the purity of our free, fair, virtuous, and independent elections. If an election is to be determined by a majority of a single vote, and that can be procured by a party through artifice or corruption, the Government may be the choice of a party for its own ends, not of the nation for the national good.

source: - John Adams' Inaugural Address, avalon.law.yale.edu. March 4, 1797.

Topics: Party, Independent, Government

As the happiness of the people is the sole end of government, so the consent of the people is the only foundation of it.

source: - John Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.193

Topics: Government, People, Foundation

Our whole system of banks is a violation of every honest principle of banks. There is no honest bank but a bank of deposit. A bank that issues paper at interest is a pickpocket or a robber. But the delusion will have its course. ... An aristocracy is growing out of them that will be as fatal as the feudal barons if unchecked in time.

source: - John Adams, Benjamin Rush (1892). “Old Family Letters: Copied from the Originals for Alexander Biddle... Series A-[B]”

Topics: Issues, Principles, Aristocracy

That the desires of the majority of the people are often for injustice and inhumanity against the minority, is demonstrated by every page of the history of the world.

source: - John Adams (2015). “The Works of John Adams Vol. 6: Defence of the Constitution IV, Discourses on Davila”, p.43, Jazzybee Verlag

Topics: People, Democracy, Desire, Majority And Minority, Inhumanity

A militia law, requiring all men, or with very few exceptions besides cases of conscience, to be provided with arms and ammunition... is always a wise institution, and, in the present circumstances of our country, indispensable.

source: - John Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.199

Topics: Wise, Country, Men, Ammunition

[You have Rights] antecedent to all earthly governments: Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; Rights, derived from the Great Legislator of the universe.

source: - John Adams (2015). “The Works of John Adams Vol. 3: Autobiography, Diary, Notes of a Debate in the Senate, Essays”, p.369, Jazzybee Verlag

Topics: Rights, Government, Law, Constitutional Rights, Right To Bear Arms

People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity.

Topics: Adversity, Fire, People

He is too illiterate, unread, unlearned for his station and reputation.

Topics: Government, Reputation, Illiterate, Stations

Negro slavery is an evil of colossal magnitude.

source: - John Adams (1997). “Rivoluzioni e Costituzioni”, p.37, Guida Editori

Topics: Evil, Slavery, Magnitude, Colossal, Missouri

The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people, and must be willing to bear the expenses of it. There should not be a district of one mile square, without a school in it, not founded by a charitable individual, but maintained at the public expense of the people themselves.

source: - John Adams (1971). “The Works [of] John Adams, Second President of the United States: Official letters, messages, and public papers. Correspondence”

Topics: Education, School, Squares

Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion... in private self-defense.

Topics: Strength, Peace, Patriotic, Right To Bear Arms, Shooting Guns

The people, when they have been unchecked, have been as unjust, tyrannical, brutal, barbarous, and cruel, as any king or senate possessed of uncontrollable power. The majority has eternally, and without one exception, usurped over the rights of the minority.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.10

Topics: Kings, Rights, People, Uncontrollable

It would be an absurdity for jurors to be required to accept the judge's view of the law, against their own opinion, judgment, and conscience.

Topics: Views, Law, Judging, Judge And Jury, Jurors

To believe all men honest is folly. To believe none is something worse.

Topics: Believe, Men, Honest

We hold that each man is the best judge of his own interest.

Topics: Men, Judging, Interest

Ambition is one of the ungovernable passions of the human heart. The love of power is insatiable and uncontrollable.

Topics: Passion, Heart, Ambition

We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of preserving the balance of power on the side of liberty and public virtue is to make the acquisition of land easy to every member of society; to make a division of the land into small quantities, so that the multitude may be possessed of landed estates.

source: - John Adams, Frederick K. Sanders (1975). “John Adams Speaking: Pound's Sources for the Adams Cantos”

Topics: Land, Balance, Liberty, Balance Of Power

The appearance of religion only on Sunday proves that it is only an appearance.

Topics: Sunday, Appearance, Prove

An honest, sensible, humane man, . . . laboring to do good rather than be rich, to be useful rather than make a show, living in modest simplicity . . . is really the most respectable man in society, [and] makes himself and all about him most happy.

Topics: Money, Men, Simplicity, Respectable Man

This is a revolution, damn it! We're going to have to offend somebody!

Topics: Animal, Revolution, Animal Rights

Here, every private person is authorized to arm himself, and on the strength of this authority, I do not deny the inhabitants had a right to arm themselves at that time, for their defense, not for offense.

source: - "Legal Papers of John Adams". Book edited by L. Kinvin Wroth and Hiller B. Zobel, 3:248, 1965.

Topics: Gun, Defense, Arms

The real fabric of American society is not all those flags you see on people's cars...it's in the Bill of Rights and in our constitutional form of government.

Topics: Peace, Real, War

In every society where property exists there will ever be a struggle between rich and poor. Mixed in one assembly, equal laws can never be expected; they will either be made by the member to plunder the few who are rich, or by the influence to fleece the many who are poor.

source: - John Adams, George A. Peek, Jr. (2003). “The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections”, p.158, Hackett Publishing

Topics: Struggle, Law, Influence, Plunder, Fleece

I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.

Topics: Bible, God, Religious, Religion And Politics, Our Founding Fathers

It is not only the juror's right, but his duty to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment and conscience, though in direct opposition to the instruction of the court.

source: - "Justice Often Served By Jury Nullification". www.foxnews.com. August 01, 2005.

Topics: War, Understanding, Drug, Jury, Judge And Jury

We shall, by and by, want a world of hemp more for our own consumption.

Topics: Weed, Marijuana, World, Medical Marijuana, Cannabis

The Constitution is ...the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen

source: - John Adams (1794). “A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America: Against the Attack of M. Turgot in His Letter to Dr. Price, Dated the Twenty-second Day of March, 1778”, p.506

Topics: Effort, World, Constitution

It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power.

source: - John Adams (2004). “The Portable John Adams”, p.36, Penguin

Topics: Men, Presidential, Weakness, Eternal Vigilance

Before any great things are accomplished, a memorable change must be made in the system of education...to raise the lower ranks of society nearer to the higher.

Topics: Teacher, Teaching, Memorable, Education And Knowledge, General Education

The executive shall never exercise the legislative and judicial powers, or either of them, to the end that it may be a government of laws and not of men.

source: - John Adams, George A. Peek, Jr. (2003). “The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections”, p.94, Hackett Publishing

Topics: Exercise, Men, Law, Judicial Power

Government is nothing more than the combined force of society, or the united power of the multitude, for the peace, order, safety, good and happiness of the people.

source: - John Adams (1964). “Diary and Autobiography”

Topics: Government, Order, People

It is the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons, to worship the SUPREME BEING, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping GOD in the manner most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship.

source: - John Adams, George A. Peek, Jr. (2003). “The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections”, p.96, Hackett Publishing

Topics: God, Religious, Hurt, Supreme Being

Power always sincerely, conscientiously, de très bon foi, believes itself right. Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views, beyond the comprehension of the weak.

source: - John Adams, Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson (1959). “The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams. 1812-1826”

Topics: Believe, Power, Thinking

Have you ever found in history, one single example of a nation, thoroughly corrupted, that was afterwards restored to virtue? And without virtue there can be no political liberty.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.386

Topics: Political, Liberty, Example

No good government but what is republican... the very definition of a republic is 'an empire of laws, and not of men.'

source: - John Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.194

Topics: Men, Law, America

Public affairs go on pretty much as usual: perpetual chicanery and rather more personal abuse than there used to be.

source: - John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams, Lester Jesse Cappon, Institute of Early American History and Culture (Williamsburg, Va.) (1988). “The Adams-Jefferson letters: the complete correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams”, The University of North Carolina Press

Topics: Abuse, Usual, Goes On, Chicanery, Public Affairs

Thanks be to God, that he gave me Stubborness, when I know I am right.

source: - Letter from John Adams to Edmund Jenings, founders.archives.gov. September 27, 1782.

Topics: Thanks, Knows

Rulers are no more than attorneys, agents, and trustees, for the people; and if the cause, the interest and trust, is insidiously betrayed, or wantonly trifled away, the people have a right to revoke the authority that they themselves have deputed, and to constitute abler and better agents, attorneys, and trustees.

source: - John Adams, George A. Peek, Jr. (2003). “The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections”, p.13, Hackett Publishing

Topics: People, Agents, Betrayed, Trustees

I shall have liberty to think for myself without molesting others or being molested myself.

source: - John Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.35

Topics: Thinking, Liberty, Positive Atheism

In vain are Schools, Academies, and Universities instituted, if loose Principles and licentious habits are impressed upon Children in their earliest years . . . . The Vices and Examples of the Parents cannot be concealed from the Children. How is it possible that Children can have any just Sense of the sacred Obligations of Morality or Religion if, from their earliest Infancy, they learn their Mothers live in habitual Infidelity to their fathers, and their fathers in as constant Infidelity to their Mothers.

source: - John Adams (2004). “The Portable John Adams”, p.75, Penguin

Topics: Education, Mother, Children

But before any great things are accomplished, a memorable change must be made in the system of Education and knowledge must become so general as to raise the lower ranks of Society nearer to the higher. The Education of a Nation, instead of being confined to a few schools & Universities, for the instruction of the few, must become the National Care and expence, for the information of the Many.

source: - John Adams (2016). “Papers of John Adams, Volume 18: December 1785 - January 1787”, p.218, Harvard University Press

Topics: Education, Money, Memorable, General Education

Resistance to sudden violence, for the preservation not only of my person, my limbs, and life, but of my property, is an indisputable right of nature which I have never surrendered to the public by the compact of society, and which perhaps, I could not surrender if I would.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.438

Topics: Life, Nature, Gun

There is but one element of government, and that is THE PEOPLE. From this element spring all governments. "For a nation to be free, it is only necessary that she wills it." For a nation to be slave, it is only necessary that she wills it.

source: - John Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.474

Topics: Spring, Government, People

The study and practice of law ... does not dissolve the obligations of morality or of religion.

source: - John Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.32

Topics: Law, Practice, Doe

That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience.

Topics: Gun, Rights, Second Amendment, 2 Amendment, Police Protection

There's no such thing as a free lunch, unless you have a coupon for a free lunch...or someone gives you a lunch...never mind.

Topics: Lunch, Giving, Mind, Free Lunch

[I] never understood [what a republican government was and] I believe no other man ever did or ever will.

Topics: Believe, Men, America, Republican Government

[J]udges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention. Their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon any man, or body of men.

source: - John Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.198

Topics: Character, Men, Law, Great Patience, Coolness

America is destined to be peopled by one nation, speaking one language, professing one general system of religious and political principles, and accustomed to one general tenor of social usages and customs.

source: - Adams, John Quincy (1914). “Writings of John Quincy Adams Volume 4”, p.209, Best Books on

Topics: Religious, America, Political

The Holy Ghost carries on the whole Christian system in this earth. Not a Baptism, not a Marriage, not a Sacrament can be administered but by the Holy Ghost... There is no Authority civil or religious: there can be no legitimate Government but what is administered by this Holy Ghost. There can be no salvation without it. All, without it is Rebellion and Perdition, or in more orthodox words Damnation.

source: - John Adams' letter to Benjamin Rush (December 21, 1809), as quoted in "No, Mr. Beck, John Adams Did Not Think Governments Must Be Administered by the Holy Ghost" by Chris Rodda, www.huffingtonpost.com. June 16, 2010.

Topics: Christian, Religious, Government, Legitimate Government, Sacraments

The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity. Nowhere in the Gospels do we find a precept for Creeds, Confessions, Oaths, Doctrines, and whole carloads of other foolish trumpery that we find in Christianity.

source: - "Fictional character: John Adams". "Spirit", Book by William Edelen, 1989.

Topics: Jesus, Faith Religion, Atheism, Founding Fathers Anti Religion, Founding Fathers Atheist

Politics are a labyrinth without a clue.

Topics: Political, Labyrinth, Politics

Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to standing laws.

source: - John Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.225

Topics: Law, Liberty, Individual

It will be celebrated... with pomp and parade... bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.

Topics: 4th Of July, Illumination, Parades, Bonfire

Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.

source: - Massachusetts Historical Society, John Adams, Samuel Adams, James Warren (1917). “Warren-Adams Letters: Being Chiefly a Correspondence Among John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Warren ... 1743-1814”

Topics: Government, Liberty, Foundation, Public Good, Republican Government

National defense is one of the cardinal duties of a statesman, and that there is an obligation to perform such a duty absolutely irrespective of party politics or factional differences.

Topics: Party, Differences, Voting, National Defense

Will you tell me how to prevent riches from producing luxury? Will you tell me how to prevent luxury from producing effeminacy, intoxication, extravagance, vice and folly?

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.386

Topics: Luxury, Riches, Vices

Mystery is made a convenient Cover for absurdity.

source: - Diary of John Adams, www.beliefnet.com. February 13, 1756.

Topics: Atheist, Jesus, Faith Religion, Deism, Christian Atheist

There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of others.

source: - "Beauty, Despite All: On the Generosity of Teachers" by Daron Hagen, www.huffingtonpost.com. August 11, 2016.

Topics: Commitment, Two, Earth

As to the history of the revolution, my ideas may be peculiar, perhaps singular. What do we mean by the revolution? The war? That was no part of the revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected from 1760 to 1775, in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.172

Topics: War, Mean, Ideas, Lexington

To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, counties or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws.

source: - "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government". Book by John Adams. Chapter 3: "Marchamont Nedham: Errors of Government and Rules of Policy", Sixth Rule, 1787.

Topics: Men, Self, Hands, Demolish, 2 Amendment

Without religion this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company, I mean Hell.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.254

Topics: Religious, Mean, Would Be, Religion Christian, Future Of America

A single assembly will never be a steady guardian of the laws, if Machiavel is right, when he says, Men are never good but through necessity: on the contrary, when good and evil are left to their choice, they will not fail to throw every thing into disorder and confusion. Hunger and poverty may make men industrious, but laws only can make them good; for, if men were so of themselves, there would be no occasion for laws; but, as the case is far otherwise, they are absolutely necessary.

source: - John Adams (2015). “The Works of John Adams Vol. 4: Novanglus, Thoughts on Government, Defence of the Constitution I”, p.304, Jazzybee Verlag

Topics: Men, Law, Hunger And Poverty

I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. They are the most glorious nation that ever inhabited this Earth. The Romans and their empire were but a bubble in comparison to the Jews. They have given religion to three-quarters of the globe and have influenced the affairs of mankind more and more happily than any other nation, ancient or modern.

source: - Letter to F. A. Van der Kemp, February 16, 1808.

Topics: Atheist, Believe, Fate, Jewish Religion, Hands Tied

The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.9

Topics: Ideas, Law, Justice, Liberty And Justice, Liberty And Justice For All

I would quarrel with both parties, and with every individual of each, before I would subjugate my understanding, or prostitute my tongue or pen to either.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.432

Topics: Party, Understanding, Tongue

Power in any Form . . . when directed only by human Wisdom and Benevolence is dangerous.

Topics: Human Nature, Form, Dangerous, Human Wisdom

As unbalanced parties of every description can never tolerate a free inquiry of any kind, when employed against themselves, the license, and even the most temperate freedom of the press, soon excite resentment and revenge.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.273

Topics: Revenge, Party, Inquiry, Unbalanced, Freedom Of The Press

I shall have the liberty to think for myself.

source: - "John Adams". Book by David McCullough, www.nytimes.com. May 22, 2001.

Topics: Thinking, Liberty

You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.

source: - Letter to Thomas Jefferson, 6 Dec. 1787

Topics: Power, President, Aristocracy

The people "have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge- I mean of the character and conduct of their rulers."

source: - 'A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law' (1765)

Topics: Character, Mean, Divine Right, Us Independence Day

Banks have done more injury to the religion, morality, tranquility, prosperity, and even wealth of the nation than they can have done or ever will do good.

source: - John Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.375

Topics: Banking, Done, Morality, Bankers And Banks

I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof.

source: - John Adams (1841). “Letters of John Adams: Addressed to His Wife”, p.267

Topics: Wise, Honesty, Blessing, I Pray, Capitalization

The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society depend so much upon an upright and skillful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that.

source: - "Thoughts on Government" (1776)

Topics: Independent, Blessing, Government, Judicial Power, Administration Of Justice

Slavery is a foul contagion in the human character.

source: - John Adams' Letter to Joseph Ward, founders.archives.gov. January 8, 1810.

Topics: Character, Slavery, Foul, Contagion

A taste for literature and a turn for business, united in the same person, never fails to make a great man.

Topics: Men, Literature, Taste

Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.280

Topics: Liberty, Patriot, Property, Private Property, Secured

The consequences arising from the continual accumulation of public debts in other countries ought to admonish us to prevent their growth in our own.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1854). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.126

Topics: Country, Government, Growth, Debt By Founding Fathers, National Debt

All sober inquirers after truth, ancient and modern, pagan and Christian, have declared that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue.

source: - John Adams (1841). “Letters, Addressed to His Wife”, p.277

Topics: Christian, Men, Dignity, Inquirers

Elections, especially of representatives and counselors, should be annual, there not being in the whole circle of the sciences a maxim more infallible than this, "where annual elections end, there slavery begins." These great men ... should be (chosen) once a year-Like bubbles on the sea of matter bourne, they rise, they break, and to the sea return. This will teach them the great political virtues of humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenous beast of prey.

Topics: Humility, Men, Years, Bourne, Great Political

It is folly to anticipate evils, and madness to create imaginary ones.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.422

Topics: Evil, Madness, Folly

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?

source: - Letter to John Thaxter, September 29, 1778.

Topics: Inspirational, Healthcare, Serving Others, Inspirational Customer Service, Serving

This is my religion ... joy and exaltation in my own existence ... so go ahead and snarl ... bite ... howl, you Calvinistic divines and all you who say I am no Christian. I say you are not Christian.

Topics: Christian, Joy, Religion

If national pride is ever justifiable or excusable it is when it springs, not from power or riches, grandeur or glory, but from conviction of national innocence, information and benevolence.

source: - John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1854). “Works: with a life of the author”, p.108

Topics: Spring, Pride, President, National Pride

The fundamental article of my political creed is that despotism, or limited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same [whether] in a majority of a popular assembly; an aristocratic council; or oligarchical junto and a single emperor - equally arbitrary, cruel, bloody and in every respect diabolical.

source: - John Adams' Letter to Thomas Jefferson, founders.archives.gov. November 13, 1815.

Topics: Political, Arbitrary, Fundamentals, Absolute Power, Aristocratic