John Adams Quotes (33 quotations)
Index Page # 1 of 2 (Quotes : 1 - 25 )
1. ...a revolution of government is the strongest proof that can be given by a people of their virtue and good sense. - John Adams
2. Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society. - John Adams
3. 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. - John Adams
4. Arms in the hands of citizens [may] be used at individual discretion...in private self-defense. - John Adams
5. But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. - John Adams
6. Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. - John Adams
7. Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either [aristocracy or monarchy]. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide. - John Adams
8. Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. - John Adams
9. Fear is the foundation of most governments. - John Adams
10. 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. - John Adams
11. I have accepted a seat in the House of Representatives, and thereby have consented to my own ruin, to your ruin, and to the ruin of our children. I give you this warning that you may prepare your mind for your fate. - John Adams
12. I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman. - John Adams
13. I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. - John Adams
14. In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress. - John Adams
15. Jefferson still survivies. - John Adams
16. Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people. - John Adams
17. My country has contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived. - John Adams
18. No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it. - John Adams
19. Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order. - John Adams
20. Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak. - John Adams
21. Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty. - John Adams
22. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. - John Adams
23. Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty but it is religion and morality alone that can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. - John Adams
24. The Declaration of Independence I always considered as a theatrical show. Jefferson ran away with all the stage effect of that... and all the glory of it. - John Adams
25. The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries. - John Adams
2. Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society. - John Adams
3. 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. - John Adams
4. Arms in the hands of citizens [may] be used at individual discretion...in private self-defense. - John Adams
5. But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. - John Adams
6. Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. - John Adams
7. Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either [aristocracy or monarchy]. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide. - John Adams
8. Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. - John Adams
9. Fear is the foundation of most governments. - John Adams
10. 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. - John Adams
11. I have accepted a seat in the House of Representatives, and thereby have consented to my own ruin, to your ruin, and to the ruin of our children. I give you this warning that you may prepare your mind for your fate. - John Adams
12. I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman. - John Adams
13. I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. - John Adams
14. In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress. - John Adams
15. Jefferson still survivies. - John Adams
16. Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people. - John Adams
17. My country has contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived. - John Adams
18. No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it. - John Adams
19. Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order. - John Adams
20. Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak. - John Adams
21. Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty. - John Adams
22. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. - John Adams
23. Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty but it is religion and morality alone that can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. - John Adams
24. The Declaration of Independence I always considered as a theatrical show. Jefferson ran away with all the stage effect of that... and all the glory of it. - John Adams
25. The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries. - John Adams
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