A question arises whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a… — John Adams Copy Share Image
There is but one element of government, and that is THE PEOPLE. From this element spring all governments. "For a nation to… — 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 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
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
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
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
The people, when they have been unchecked, have been as unjust, tyrannical, brutal, barbarous, and cruel, as any king or senate possessed… — 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
Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor,… — 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
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
The question before the human race is, Whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether… — 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
“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
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity — John Adams Copy Share
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
“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
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
“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
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
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
“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
During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together. — John Adams Copy Share
Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in… — John Adams Copy Share
I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service. — John Adams Copy Share
