Agree Quote by John Adams
“It has ever been my hobby-horse to see rising in America an empire of liberty, and a prospect of two or three hundred millions of freemen, without one noble or one king among them. You say it is impossible. If I should agree with you in this, I would still say, let us try the experiment, and preserve our equality as long as we can. A better system of education for the common people might preserve them long from such artificial inequalities as are prejudicial to society, by confounding the natural distinctions of right and wrong, virtue and vice.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to Thomas Jefferson, 1790
Advocates for a society of equal liberty, warning against artificial hierarchies and urging education to sustain equality.
In simple terms: Equality through education and avoidance of imposed hierarchies.
Key Takeaway
Promote universal education to protect equality.
Themes
equality
education
social justice
democracy
freedom
Mood
hopeful
determined
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public policy
- school reform
- community organizing
- grassroots activism
Key Concepts
Republicanism
natural rights
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can education realistically counter deep‑seated inequalities?
- What safeguards protect equality over time?
A Different Perspective
Ideal equality may be challenged by entrenched interests and resource limits.
![“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)
![“I will not agree to have this bill [to repeal DADT ] go forward, because our economy is in the tank.” quote by John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c2c/john-mccain-465_agree_i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-re_7321.jpg)
