Politics Quotes by John Adams

A government of laws, and not of men.

— John Adams

Politics are the divine science, after all,

— John Adams

Where annual elections end, there slavery begins

— John Adams

Politics are a labyrinth without a clue.

— John Adams

Fear is the foundation of most governments.

— John Adams

Always stand on principle…even if you stand alone.

— John Adams

In politics the middle way is none at all.

— John Adams

I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman.

— John Adams

Nothing is more dreaded than the national government meddling with religion.

— John Adams

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

— John Adams

“Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic religion? { Letter to Thomas Jefferson , May 19, 1821 }”

— John Adams

What other form of government, indeed, can so well deserve our esteem and love?

— John Adams

The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.

— John Adams

As the happiness of the people is the sole end of government, so the consent of the people is the only foundation…

— John Adams

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.

— John Adams

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

— John Adams

“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit,…

— John Adams

When economic power became concentrated in a few hands, then political power flowed to those possessors and away from the citizens, ultimately…

— John Adams

“Government has no right to hurt a hair on the head of an Atheist for his Opinions. Let him have a care…

— John Adams

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the…

— John Adams

Government is nothing more than the combined force of society, or the united power of the multitude, for the peace, order, safety,…

— John Adams

If "Thou shalt not covet," and "Thou shalt not steal," were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in…

— John Adams

There is nothing I dread so much as the division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader,…

— John Adams

A question arises whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a…

— John Adams

It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent…

— 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

...Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution of Government once changed from…

— John Adams

The most sensible and jealous people are so little attentive to government that there are no instances of resistance until repeated, multiplied…

— John Adams

“The science of government it is my duty to study, more than all other sciences; the arts of legislation and administration and…

— John Adams

As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself…

— John Adams

If there is ever an amelioration of the condition of mankind, philosophers, theologians, legislators, politicians and moralists will find that the regulation…

— 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

“While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world;…

— John Adams

“There is nothing in which mankind have been more unanimous [founding nations upon superstition]; yet nothing can be inferred from it more…

— John Adams

“It was the general opinion of ancient nations, that the divinity alone was adequate to the important office of giving laws to…

— John Adams

Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic religion?

— John Adams

The happiness of society is the end of government.

— John Adams

People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity.

— John Adams

I am for making of terms annual, and for sending an entire new set every year.

— John Adams

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.

— John Adams