---
title: "3 Arbitrary Quotes By John Adams"
description: "3 Arbitrary quotes by John Adams. Plus more from John Adams and more Arbitrary sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/john-adams-529_ancestor_set-before-us-the-conduct-of-our-own-bri_1586547.jpg"
---

> [Set before us the conduct of our own British ancestors, who defended for us the inherent rights of mankind against foreign and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/set-before-us-the-conduct-of-our-own-british-ancestors-who-defended/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/john-adams-529_ancestor_set-before-us-the-conduct-of-our-own-bri_1586547.jpg)

> [ The fundamental article of my political creed is that despotism, or limited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same \[whether\] in a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-fundamental-article-of-my-political-creed-is-that-despotism-or/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c7/john-adams-529_absolute-power_the-fundamental-article-of-my-political_2130305.jpg)

> [Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/nip-the-shoots-of-arbitrary-power-in-the-bud-is-the-only-maxim-which/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc1/john-adams-529_arbitrary_nip-the-shoots-of-arbitrary-power-in-the_2220189.jpg)

## More by John Adams

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/daughter-get-you-an-honest-man-for-a-husband-and-keep-him-honest-no/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-general-principles-on-which-the-fathers-achieved-independence/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-may-affirm-that-the-balance-of-power-in-a-society-accompanies-the/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [“The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-longer-i-live-the-more-i-read-the-more-patiently-i-think-and-the/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/upon-common-theaters-indeed-the-applause-of-the-audience-is-of-more/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/there-are-only-two-creatures-of-value-on-the-face-of-the-earth-those/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [ I will insist the Hebrews have \[contributed\] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-will-insist-the-hebrews-have-contributed-more-to-civilize-men-than/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit, honor, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/government-is-instituted-for-the-common-good-for-the-protection/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [Make Things rather than Persons the subjects of conversations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/make-things-rather-than-persons-the-subjects-of-conversations/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/during-the-whole-time-i-sat-with-him-in-congress-i-never-heard-him/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/religion-and-virtue-are-the-only-foundations-not-of-republicanism-and/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-universal-object-and-idol-of-men-of-letters-is-reputation/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-consider-a-decent-respect-for-christianity-among-the-best/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

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