Government Quotes by John Adams

A government of laws, and not of men.

— John Adams

Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic religion?

— John Adams

When legislature is corrupted, the people are undone.

— John Adams

The happiness of society is the end of government.

— John Adams

He is too illiterate, unread, unlearned for his station and reputation.

— John Adams

Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

— John Adams

Nothing is more dreaded than the national government meddling with religion.

— John Adams

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

— John Adams

What other form of government, indeed, can so well deserve our esteem and love?

— John Adams

The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.

— John Adams

As the happiness of the people is the sole end of government, so the consent of the people is the only foundation…

— John Adams

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

— John Adams

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.

— John Adams

[I] never understood [what a republican government was and] I believe no other man ever did or ever will.

— John Adams

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

— John Adams

“Government has no right to hurt a hair on the head of an Atheist for his Opinions. Let him have a care…

— John Adams

Government is nothing more than the combined force of society, or the united power of the multitude, for the peace, order, safety,…

— John Adams

There is nothing I dread so much as the division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader,…

— John Adams

A question arises whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a…

— John Adams

Mr. Jefferson has reason to reflect upon himself. How he will get rid of his remorse in his retirement, I know not.…

— John Adams

The end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of government is to secure the existence of the body politic; to protect it,…

— John Adams

There is but one element of government, and that is THE PEOPLE. From this element spring all governments. "For a nation to…

— John Adams

A constitution founded on these principles introduces knowledge among the people, and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen; a general…

— John Adams

...Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution of Government once changed from…

— John Adams

The most sensible and jealous people are so little attentive to government that there are no instances of resistance until repeated, multiplied…

— John Adams

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

“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. Aristotle speaks plainly to this purpose, saying, 'that the institution of…

— John Adams

Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics. There must be a…

— John Adams

As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself…

— 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

Upon this point all speculative politicians will agree, that the happiness of society is the end of government, as all divines and…

— John Adams

The good of the governed is the end, and rewards and punishments are the means, of all government. The government of the…

— John Adams

“There is nothing in which mankind have been more unanimous [founding nations upon superstition]; yet nothing can be inferred from it more…

— John Adams

“It was the general opinion of ancient nations, that the divinity alone was adequate to the important office of giving laws to…

— John Adams

If Aristotle, Livy, and Harrington knew what a republic was, the British constitution is much more like a republic than an empire.…

— John Adams

“A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”

— John Adams

The government of the United States is not in any sense founded upon the Christian religion.

— John Adams

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with…

— John Adams

The government of the United States of America has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of…

— John Adams

No good government but what is republican... the very definition of a republic is 'an empire of laws, and not of men.'

— John Adams