--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: . . . Thirteen governments [of the…" description: "\". . . Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or mystery..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-adams-529_american-founding-fa_thirteen-governments-of-the-original-sta_1511762.jpg" --- # . . . Thirteen governments \[of the original states\] thus… ![“. . . 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/i/348/john-adams-529_american-founding-fa_thirteen-governments-of-the-original-sta_1511762.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-adams-529_american-founding-fa_thirteen-governments-of-the-original-sta_1511762.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-adams-529_american-founding-fa_thirteen-governments-of-the-original-sta_1511762.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 mankind.” [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that governments founded solely on popular authority are a major advance for human rights. **In simple terms:** Governments based on people’s authority improve human rights. Key Takeaway Support popular sovereignty. Themes politics rights government human rights democracy Mood hopeful inspirational Type philosophical political When to use this quote - drafting constitutions - citizen participation - policy reform - education on civics Key Concepts social contract natural authority legitimacy Questions to Reflect On - How does popular authority protect rights? - What limits exist for such governments? A Different Perspective May overlook practical governance challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-founding-fathers/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Christian church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-church/) [Christian father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-father/) [Christian right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-right/) [Christianity and government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity-and-government/) [Christianity from founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity-from-founding-fathers/) [Church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-and-state/) [Deism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deism/) [Destined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destined/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Founders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founders/) [Founding america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-america/) [Founding fathers atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-atheist/) [Founding fathers of america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-of-america/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracle/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Religion and government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-and-government/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Secular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secular/) [Separation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation/) [Separation between church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-between-church-and-state/) [Separation of church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-of-church-and-state/) [State government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-government/) [Thirteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirteen/) ## Related quotes > [But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-how-has-it-happened-that-millions-of-fables-tales-legends-have-2/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-almost-shudder-at-the-thought-of-alluding-to-the-most-fatal-example-2/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-declaration-of-independence-laid-the-cornerstone-of-human/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I call religion a natural authority, but it has usually been conceived as a supernatural authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-read/i-call-religion-a-natural-authority-but-it-has-usually-been-conceived/) [Herbert Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-read/) > [Making a film transforms your relationship to the world. And there's some sort of natural authority that builds up along the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deniz-gamze-erguven/making-a-film-transforms-your-relationship-to-the-world-and-there-s/) [Deniz Gamze Erguven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deniz-gamze-erguven/) > [“There is nothing mysterious or natural about authority. It is formed, irradiated, disseminated; it is instrumental, it is persuasive; it has status, it establishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-w-said/there-is-nothing-mysterious-or-natural-about-authority-it-is-formed/) [Edward W. Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-w-said/) > [No man has any natural authority over his fellow men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/no-man-has-any-natural-authority-over-his-fellow-men/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [Louisiana commenced her existence as a state under a code of laws differing from all the other states which were founded on the common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-freeman-miller/louisiana-commenced-her-existence-as-a-state-under-a-code-of-laws/) [Samuel Freeman Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-freeman-miller/) > [When the United States was founded, the very idea of a nation premised on democratic principles of freedom and tolerance was viewed by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliot-spitzer/when-the-united-states-was-founded-the-very-idea-of-a-nation-premised/) [Eliot Spitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliot-spitzer/) > [The United States, after all, was founded by men of liberal sentiment who were seeking to promote the greatest good for the greatest number,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-massey/the-united-states-after-all-was-founded-by-men-of-liberal-sentiment/) [Douglas Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-massey/) > [The United States was founded by the brightest people in the country — and we haven't seen them since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/the-united-states-was-founded-by-the-brightest-people-in-the-country/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [ \[The United States is\] founded on the principles of Christianity ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-united-states-is-founded-on-the-principles-of-christianity/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The United States was founded on the triple sin of slavery, genocide, and land theft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton-williams/the-united-states-was-founded-on-the-triple-sin-of-slavery-genocide/) [Thomas Chatterton Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton-williams/) > [Before the United States, there wasn't really anyplace anybody could go. They had to seek refuge in other ways. After the United States was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/before-the-united-states-there-wasn-t-really-anyplace-anybody-could/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More by John Adams > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/daughter-get-you-an-honest-man-for-a-husband-and-keep-him-honest-no/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-general-principles-on-which-the-fathers-achieved-independence/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-may-affirm-that-the-balance-of-power-in-a-society-accompanies-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-longer-i-live-the-more-i-read-the-more-patiently-i-think-and-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/upon-common-theaters-indeed-the-applause-of-the-audience-is-of-more/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/there-are-only-two-creatures-of-value-on-the-face-of-the-earth-those/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [ I will insist the Hebrews have \[contributed\] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-will-insist-the-hebrews-have-contributed-more-to-civilize-men-than/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit, honor, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/government-is-instituted-for-the-common-good-for-the-protection/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Make Things rather than Persons the subjects of conversations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/make-things-rather-than-persons-the-subjects-of-conversations/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/during-the-whole-time-i-sat-with-him-in-congress-i-never-heard-him/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/religion-and-virtue-are-the-only-foundations-not-of-republicanism-and/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-universal-object-and-idol-of-men-of-letters-is-reputation/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-consider-a-decent-respect-for-christianity-among-the-best/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) [Explore all 495 John Adams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## More American founding fathers quotes > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/rulers-who-wished-to-subvert-the-public-liberty-may-have-found-an/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/in-vain-would-that-man-claim-the-tribute-of-patriotism-who-should/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-general-principles-on-which-the-fathers-achieved-independence/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-carroll-of-carrollton/without-morals-a-republic-cannot-subsist-any-length-of-time-they/) Charles Carroll of Carrollton > [We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-have-been-preserved-these-many-years-in-peace-and-prosperity-we/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-opposed-to-any-form-of-tyranny-over-the-mind-of-man/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him (i.e. Jesus) by his biographers, I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/among-the-sayings-and-discourses-imputed-to-him-i-e-jesus-by-his/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I firmly believe this ... that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the builders of Babel:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-firmly-believe-this-that-without-his-concurring-aid-we-shall/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-day-will-come-when-the-mystical-generation-of-jesus-by-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/of-all-the-dispositions-and-habits-which-lead-to-political-prosperity-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/religious-controversies-are-always-productive-of-more-acrimony-and/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-only-foundation-for-a-republic-is-to-be-laid-in-religion-without/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-time-is-now-near-at-hand-which-must-probably-determine-whether/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) [Browse all 89 American founding fathers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-founding-fathers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": ". . . 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 mankind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Adams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/thirteen-governments-of-the-original-states-thus-founded-on-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American founding fathers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/thirteen-governments-of-the-original-states-thus-founded-on-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-adams-529_american-founding-fa_thirteen-governments-of-the-original-sta_1511762.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-adams-529_american-founding-fa_thirteen-governments-of-the-original-sta_1511762.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-adams-529_american-founding-fa_thirteen-governments-of-the-original-sta_1511762.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“. . . Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people…” — John Adams", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Adams", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": ". . . Thirteen governments [of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/thirteen-governments-of-the-original-states-thus-founded-on-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/thirteen-governments-of-the-original-states-thus-founded-on-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```