Men Quotes by John Adams

A government of laws, and not of men.

— John Adams

The happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue.

— John Adams

The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation

— John Adams

We hold that each man is the best judge of his own interest.

— John Adams

One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three is a Congress.

— John Adams

“To believe all men honest is folly. To believe none is something worse.”

— John Adams

The numbers of men in all ages have preferred ease, slumber, and good cheer to liberty, when they have been in competition.

— John Adams

Education makes a greater difference between man and man than nature has made between man and brute.

— John Adams

No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.

— John Adams

If worthless men are sometimes at the head of affairs, it is, I believe, because worthless men are at the tail and…

— John Adams

The destiny of America is to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to all men everywhere.

— John Adams

It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power

— John Adams

A taste for literature and a turn for business, united in the same person, never fails to make a great man.

— John Adams

Grief drives men into habits of serious reflection, sharpens the understanding, and softens the heart

— John Adams

“Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided…

— John Adams

[J]udges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention.…

— John Adams

The Church of Rome has made it an article of faith that no man can be saved out of their church, and…

— John Adams

This oration will be read five hundred years hence with as much rapture as it was heard. It ought to be read…

— John Adams

The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation: The doctrine of a supreme, intelligent sovereign of the universe,…

— John Adams

Public business must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or other. If wise man decline, others will…

— John Adams

Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts…

— John Adams

If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better…

— 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

Elections, especially of representatives and counselors, should be annual, there not being in the whole circle of the sciences a maxim more…

— John Adams

I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed…

— 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

The form of government which you admire, when its principles are pure is admirable indeed. It is productive of every Thing which…

— John Adams

I do not like the reappearance of the Jesuits… Shall we not have regular swarms of them here, in as many disguises…

— John Adams

No truth is more clearly taught in the Volume of Inspiration, nor any more fully demonstrated by the experience of all ages,…

— John Adams

Thus, experience has ever shown, that education, as well as religion, aristocracy, as well as democracy and monarchy, are, singly, totally inadequate…

— John Adams

The only way to form an army to be confided in, was a systematic discipline, by which means all men may be…

— John Adams

A pen is certainly an excellent instrument to fix a man's attention and to inflame his ambition.

— John Adams

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

— John Adams

Individuals have conquered themselves. Nations and large bodies of men, never.

— John Adams

I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation.

— John Adams

Did you ever see a portrait of a great man without perceiving strong traits of pain and anxiety?

— 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

You will ever remember that all the end of study is to make you a good man and a useful citizen.

— 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

We must not then depend alone upon the love of liberty in the soul of man for its preservation.

— John Adams