John Adams

Politics are the divine science, after all,

— John Adams

A government of laws, and not of men.

— John Adams

“Thomas Jefferson still survives”

— John Adams

Thomas Jefferson survives.

— John Adams

Negro slavery is an evil of colossal magnitude.

— John Adams

“Every problem is an opportunity in disguise.”

— John Adams

I drink no cider, but feast on Philadelphia beer.

— John Adams

Ideology is the science of idiots.

— John Adams

Riches attract attention, consideration, and congratulations of mankind.

— John Adams

Always stand on principle…even if you stand alone.

— John Adams

I am for making of terms annual, and for sending an entire new set every year.

— John Adams

Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak.

— John Adams

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

— John Adams

The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation

— John Adams

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

— John Adams

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

— John Adams

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity

— John Adams

The Declaration of Independence I always considered as a theatrical show. Jefferson ran away with all the stage effect of that... and…

— John Adams

The only way to form an army to be confided in, was a systematic discipline, by which means all men may be…

— John Adams

Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government…

— John Adams

If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better…

— John Adams

As much as I converse with sages and heroes, they have very little of my love and admiration. I long for rural…

— John Adams

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

— John Adams

The preservation of the means of knowledge among the lowest ranks is of more importance to the public than all the property…

— John Adams

Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially of the lower class of people, are so extremely wise and useful, that, to…

— John Adams

Major Greene this evening fell into some conversation with me about the Divinity and satisfaction of Jesus Christ. All the argument he…

— John Adams

I do not like the late resurrection of the Jesuits. . . . If ever any congregation of men could merit eternal…

— John Adams

Rulers are no more than attorneys, agents, and trustees, for the people; and if the cause, the interest and trust, is insidiously…

— John Adams

If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be…

— John Adams

The deliberate union of so great and various a people in such a place, is without all partiality or prejudice, if not…

— John Adams

The form of government which you admire, when its principles are pure is admirable indeed. It is productive of every Thing which…

— John Adams

The people, when they have been unchecked, have been as unjust, tyrannical, brutal, barbarous, and cruel, as any king or senate possessed…

— John Adams

Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit…

— John Adams

Admit that the press transferred the pontificate of Rome to Henry VIII-Admit that the press demolished in some sort the feudal system,…

— John Adams

Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor,…

— John Adams

The question before the human race is, Whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether…

— John Adams

“an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to…

— John Adams

It should be your care, therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children and exalt their courage; to accelerate and…

— John Adams

“It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The…

— John Adams

“Even mighty states and kingdoms are not exempted. If we look into history, we shall find some nations rising from contemptible beginnings…

— John Adams