Skip to content

Government is instituted for the common good; for the…

“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…” quote by John Adams
Download Open image
“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.”

John Adams

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Government exists for the common good, not profit; people have the right to change it when needed.

In simple terms: Governments serve people, not profit; people can reform them.

Key Takeaway

Engage in civic action.

Themes

government rights reform

Mood

determined serious

Type

political advice

When to use this quote

  • voting
  • protests
  • policy advocacy
  • community meetings

Key Concepts

political theory social contract

Questions to Reflect On

  • What reforms are most urgent?
  • How can citizens responsibly demand change?
A Different Perspective

Changing government can be slow and risky.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by John Adams

Explore all 495 John Adams quotes

More Class quotes

Browse all 7,637 Class quotes