The proposition that the people are the best keepers of their own liberties is not true. They are the worst conceivable, they… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The way to secure liberty is to place it in the people's hands, that is, to give them the power at all… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there… — John Adams Copy Share Image
That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Objects of the most stupendous magnitude, and measure in which the lives and liberties of millions yet unborn are intimately interested, are… — John Adams Copy Share Image
We should begin by setting conscience free. When all men of all religions shall enjoy equal liberty, property, and an equal chance… — John Adams Copy Share Image
I, poor creature, worn out with scribbling for my bread and my liberty, low in spirits and weak in health, must leave… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Let the pulpit resound with the doctrines and sentiments of religious liberty... Let us hear the dignity of his [man's] nature, and… — John Adams Copy Share Image
[D]emocracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes… — John Adams Copy Share Image
[A] republic . . . [is] a government, in which the property of the public, or people, and of every one of… — John Adams Copy Share Image
And liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people who have a right from the frame of their nature… — 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
...Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution of Government once changed from… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The most sensible and jealous people are so little attentive to government that there are no instances of resistance until repeated, multiplied… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Wisdom and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally among the body of the people being necessary for the preservation of their… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics. There must be a… — John Adams Copy Share Image
“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. Aristotle speaks plainly to this purpose, saying, 'that the institution of… — John Adams Copy Share Image
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 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 dons, the bashaws, the grandees, the patricians, the sachems, the nabobs, call them by what names you please, sigh and groan… — John Adams Copy Share Image
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or… — 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,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Thus, experience has ever shown, that education, as well as religion, aristocracy, as well as democracy and monarchy, are, singly, totally inadequate… — John Adams Copy Share Image
We should be unfaithful to ourselves if we should ever lose sight of the danger to our Liberties if anything partial or… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Liberty, according to my metaphysics, is an intellectual quality, an attribute that belongs not to fate nor chance. Neither possesses it, neither… — 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
![“Let the pulpit resound with the doctrines and sentiments of religious liberty... Let us hear the dignity of his [man's] nature, and the noble rank he holds among the works of God... Let it be known, that British liberties are not the grants of princes or parliaments.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/049/john-adams-529_british_let-the-pulpit-resound-with-the-doctrine_723396.jpg)
![“[D]emocracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man's life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac9/john-adams-529_ability_d-emocracy-will-soon-degenerate-into-an_1146087.jpg)
![“[A] republic . . . [is] a government, in which the property of the public, or people, and of every one of them was secure and protected by law . . . implies liberty; because property cannot be secured unless the man be at liberty to acquire, use or part with it, at his discretion, and unless he…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/027/john-adams-529_acquire_a-republic-is-a-government-in-which-the_564060.jpg)
![“I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. They are the most glorious nation…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e34/john-adams-529_affair_i-will-insist-the-hebrews-have-contribut_104004.jpg)
