One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three is a Congress. — John Adams Copy Share Image
It would be an absurdity for jurors to be required to accept the judge's view of the law, against their own opinion,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The study and practice of law ... does not dissolve the obligations of morality or of religion. — John Adams Copy Share Image
The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support… — John Adams Copy Share Image
No good government but what is republican... the very definition of a republic is 'an empire of laws, and not of men.' — John Adams Copy Share Image
The government of the United States of America has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The rights of Englishmen are derived from God, not from king or Parliament, and would be secured by the study of history,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
As good government is an empire of laws, how shall your laws be made? In a large society, inhabiting an extensive country,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially of the lower class of people, are so extremely wise and useful, that, to… — John Adams Copy Share Image
By the former of these (canon law), the most refined, sublime, extensive, and astonishing constitution of policy that ever was conceived by… — John Adams Copy Share Image
I was very strenuous for retaining and insisting on it [law of nature], as a resource to which we might be driven… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Numberless have been the systems of iniquity contrived by the great for the gratification of this passion in themselves; but in none… — John Adams Copy Share Image
[J]udges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention.… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Thus, experience has ever shown, that education, as well as religion, aristocracy, as well as democracy and monarchy, are, singly, totally inadequate… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The law no passion can disturb. 'Tis void of desire and fear, lust and anger. 'Tis mens sine affectu, written reason, retaining… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The question before the human race is, Whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether… — John Adams Copy Share Image
As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself… — John Adams Copy Share Image
There exists, I believe, throughout the whole Christian world, a law which makes it blasphemy to deny or doubt the divine inspiration… — John Adams Copy Share Image
To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders… — John Adams Copy Share Image
It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent… — John Adams Copy Share Image
[A] republic . . . [is] a government, in which the property of the public, or people, and of every one of… — John Adams Copy Share Image
In every society where property exists there will ever be a struggle between rich and poor. Mixed in one assembly, equal laws… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The executive shall never exercise the legislative and judicial powers, or either of them, to the end that it may be a… — John Adams Copy Share Image
I would define liberty to be a power to do as we would be done by. The definition of liberty to be… — John Adams Copy Share Image
[You have Rights] antecedent to all earthly governments: Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; Rights, derived from the… — John Adams Copy Share Image
A militia law, requiring all men, or with very few exceptions besides cases of conscience, to be provided with arms and ammunition...… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Since natural law was thought to be accessible to the ordinary man, the theory invited each juror to inquire for himself whether… — John Adams Copy Share Image
There is no good government but what is republican. That the only valuable part of the British constitution is so; for the… — John Adams Copy Share Image
A lawyer once told a jury that the person his client stood accused of having killed was about to walk through the… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If Aristotle, Livy, and Harrington knew what a republic was, the British constitution is much more like a republic than an empire.… — John Adams Copy Share Image
What a pity it is that our Congress had not known this discovery, and that Alexander Hamilton’s projects of raising an army… — John Adams Copy Share Image
“The liberty, the unalienable, indefeasible rights of men, the honor and dignity of human nature, the grandeur and glory of the public,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
A single assembly will never be a steady guardian of the laws, if Machiavel is right, when he says, Men are never… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and… — John Adams Copy Share
“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard… — John Adams Copy Share
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity — John Adams Copy Share
We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of… — John Adams Copy Share
“The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to… — John Adams Copy Share
But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The… — John Adams Copy Share
“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage… — John Adams Copy Share
There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of… — John Adams Copy Share
I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind… — John Adams Copy Share
“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit, honor, or… — John Adams Copy Share
During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together. — John Adams Copy Share
Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in… — John Adams Copy Share
I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service. — John Adams Copy Share
![“I was very strenuous for retaining and insisting on it [law of nature], as a resource to which we might be driven by Parliament much sooner than we were aware.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/19a/john-adams-529_american-revolution_i-was-very-strenuous-for-retaining-and-i_719731.jpg)
![“[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.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/476/john-adams-529_attention_j-udges-therefore-should-be-always-men-o_1654364.jpg)
![“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…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/844/john-adams-529_atheist_as-the-government-of-the-united-states-i_1282949.jpg)
![“[A] republic . . . [is] a government, in which the property of the public, or people, and of every one of them was secure and protected by law . . . implies liberty; because property cannot be secured unless the man be at liberty to acquire, use or part with it, at his discretion, and unless he…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/027/john-adams-529_acquire_a-republic-is-a-government-in-which-the_564060.jpg)
![“[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.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/911/john-adams-529_bearing-arms_you-have-rights-antecedent-to-all-earthl_2428701.jpg)
