[You have Rights] antecedent to all earthly governments: Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; Rights, derived from the… — John Adams Copy Share Image
It is an observation of one of the profoundest inquirers into human affairs that a revolution of government is the strongest proof… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals. And the new Governments we are assuming in every part… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The form of government which communicates ease, comfort, security, or, in one word, happiness, to the greatest number of persons, and in… — 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
National defense is one of the cardinal duties of a statesman, and that there is an obligation to perform such a duty… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Twenty times, in the course of my late reading, have I been on the point of breaking out, 'this would be the… — John Adams Copy Share Image
The fundamental article of my political creed is that despotism, or limited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same [whether] in a… — John Adams Copy Share Image
I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study… — John Adams Copy Share Image
We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands: we have a check upon two branches of the legislature, as… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty. Perhaps, at first, prejudice, habit, shame or fear, principle or religion,… — John Adams Copy Share Image
We may please ourselves with the prospect of free and popular governments. But there is great danger that those governments will not… — John Adams Copy Share Image
. . . Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence… — John Adams Copy Share Image
Were I to define the British constitution, therefore, I should say, it is a limited monarchy, or a mixture of the three… — John Adams Copy Share Image
There is no good government but what is republican. That the only valuable part of the British constitution is so; for the… — 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
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
The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature. . .… — 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
![“[You have Rights] antecedent to all earthly governments: Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; Rights, derived from the Great Legislator of the universe.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/911/john-adams-529_bearing-arms_you-have-rights-antecedent-to-all-earthl_2428701.jpg)
![“The fundamental article of my political creed is that despotism, or limited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same [whether] in a majority of a popular assembly; an aristocratic council; or oligarchical junto and a single emperor - equally arbitrary, cruel, bloody and in every respect…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c7/john-adams-529_absolute-power_the-fundamental-article-of-my-political_2130305.jpg)
![“. . . Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or mystery, and which are destined to spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great point gained in favor of the rights of…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/348/john-adams-529_american-founding-fa_thirteen-governments-of-the-original-sta_1511762.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)
![“The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature. . . . [In] the formation of the American governments . . . it will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/562/john-adams-529_america_the-united-states-of-america-have-exhibi_3078397.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)
