Ambition is the subtlest beast of the intellectual and moral field. It is wonderfully adroit in concealing itself from its owner. — John Adams Copy Share Image
Human government is more or less perfect as it approaches nearer or diverges farther from the imitation of this perfect plan of… — 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
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
Honor is truly sacred, but holds a lower rank in the scale of moral excellence than virtue. Indeed the former is part… — 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
Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that… — John Adams Copy Share Image
We have no Constitution which functions in the absence of a moral people — John Adams Copy Share Image
[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 Copy Share Image
The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society depend so… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Tis impossible to judge with much Præcision of the true Motives and Qualities of human Actions, or of the Propriety of Rules… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The good of the governed is the end, and rewards and punishments are the means, of all government. The government of the… — John Adams Copy Share Image
A constitution founded on these principles introduces knowledge among the people, and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen; a general… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The form of government which you admire, when its principles are pure is admirable indeed. It is productive of every Thing which… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Upon this point all speculative politicians will agree, that the happiness of society is the end of government, as all divines and… — 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
![“[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)
![“[J]udges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention. Their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon any man, or body of men.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/476/john-adams-529_attention_j-udges-therefore-should-be-always-men-o_1654364.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)
