All great changes are irksome to the human mind, especially those which are attended with great dangers and uncertain effects. — John Adams Copy Share Image
Ambition is one of the ungovernable passions of the human heart. The love of power is insatiable and uncontrollable. — John Adams Copy Share Image
They worry one another like mastiffs, scrambling for rank and pay like apes for nuts. — John Adams Copy Share Image
There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with… — 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
It is much easier to pull down a government, in such a conjuncture of affairs as we have seen, than to build… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries. — John Adams Copy Share Image
Mr. Jefferson has reason to reflect upon himself. How he will get rid of his remorse in his retirement, I know not.… — John Adams Copy Share Image
A question arises whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a… — John Adams Copy Share Image
There is nothing I dread so much as the division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If "Thou shalt not covet," and "Thou shalt not steal," were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The most sensible and jealous people are so little attentive to government that there are no instances of resistance until repeated, multiplied… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts… — John Adams Copy Share Image
“Government has no right to hurt a hair on the head of an Atheist for his Opinions. Let him have a care… — John Adams Copy Share Image
“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit,… — 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
We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or… — John Adams Copy Share Image
“The science of government it is my duty to study, more than all other sciences; the arts of legislation and administration and… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Upon this point all speculative politicians will agree, that the happiness of society is the end of government, as all divines and… — 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
The most sensible and jealous people are so little attentive to government that there are no instances of resistance until repeated, multiplied… — John Adams Copy Share Image
...Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution of Government once changed from… — John Adams Copy Share Image
[I] never understood [what a republican government was and] I believe no other man ever did or ever will. — John Adams Copy Share Image
The government of the United States is not in any sense founded upon the Christian religion. — John Adams Copy Share Image
“A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.” — John Adams Copy Share Image
When economic power became concentrated in a few hands, then political power flowed to those possessors and away from the citizens, ultimately… — 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
Government is nothing more than the combined force of society, or the united power of the multitude, for the peace, order, safety,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Where annual elections end, there slavery begins ... Humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenous beast… — 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
National defense is one of the cardinal duties of a statesman, and that there is an obligation to perform such a duty… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Human government is more or less perfect as it approaches nearer or diverges farther from the imitation of this perfect plan of… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The form of government which communicates ease, comfort, security, or, in one word, happiness, to the greatest number of persons, and in… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals. And the new Governments we are assuming in every part… — John Adams Copy Share Image
It is an observation of one of the profoundest inquirers into human affairs that a revolution of government is the strongest proof… — 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
While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little better understood, little better practiced now than… — John Adams Copy Share Image
As the happiness of the people is the sole end of government, so the consent of the people is the only foundation… — 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
![“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)
![“[I] never understood [what a republican government was and] I believe no other man ever did or ever will.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/d5c/john-adams-529_america_i-never-understood-what-a-republican-gov_2966422.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)
