Description Quote by John Adams
“As unbalanced parties of every description can never tolerate a free inquiry of any kind, when employed against themselves, the license, and even the most temperate freedom of the press, soon excite resentment and revenge.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1795
Powerful groups resist open inquiry, leading to backlash and retaliation against press freedoms.
In simple terms: Groups resist inquiry, causing backlash.
Key Takeaway
Guard press freedom against group pressure.
Themes
politics
freedom
media
power
conflict
Mood
cautious
concerned
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- journalism
- activism
- legal reform
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
public discourse
press freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect press freedom from powerful factions?
- What mechanisms prevent retaliation against open inquiry?
A Different Perspective
Even free inquiry can be suppressed by dominant interests.
![“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)
