I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If the Christian religion, as I understand it, or as you understand it, should maintain its ground, as I believe it will,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
It has ever been my hobby-horse to see rising in America an empire of liberty, and a prospect of two or three… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The deliberate union of so great and various a people in such a place, is without all partiality or prejudice, if not… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Public business must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or other. If wise man decline, others will… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Borrowed eloquence, if it contains as good stuff, is as good as own eloquence — John Adams Copy Share Image
Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. But if unlimited or unbalanced power of disposing property, be put into the hands… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If the empire of superstition and hypocrisy should be overthrown, happy indeed will it be for the world; but if all religion… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Twenty times, in the course of my late reading, have I been on the point of breaking out, 'this would be the… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Resistance to sudden violence, for the preservation not only of my person, my limbs, and life, but of my property, is an… — 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
A single assembly will never be a steady guardian of the laws, if Machiavel is right, when he says, Men are never… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Tom, had you and I been 40 days with Moses, and beheld the great God, and even if God himself had tried… — John Adams Copy Share Image
“If the way to do good to my country were to render myself popular, I could easily do it. But extravagant popularity… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Rulers are no more than attorneys, agents, and trustees, for the people; and if the cause, the interest and trust, is insidiously… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If national pride is ever justifiable or excusable it is when it springs, not from power or riches, grandeur or glory, but… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If my superiors shall permit me to come home, I hope it will be soon; if they mean I should stay abroad,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
It may be the will of Heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting, and distresses yet more dreadful. If this… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If we take a survey of the greatest actions...in the world...we shall find the authors of them all to have been persons… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Suppose a nation, rich and poor, high and low, ten millions in number, all assembled together; not more than one or two… — John Adams Copy Share Image
I do not like the late resurrection of the Jesuits. . . . If ever any congregation of men could merit eternal… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better… — John Adams Copy Share Image
In vain are Schools, Academies, and Universities instituted, if loose Principles and licentious habits are impressed upon Children in their earliest years… — John Adams Copy Share Image
If the multitude is possessed of the balance of real estate, the multitude will have the balance of power, and in that… — 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 Image
“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 Image
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity — 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, then, of… — John Adams Copy Share Image
“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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together. — John Adams Copy Share Image