--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We think ourselves possessed, or, at…" description: "\"“We think ourselves possessed, or, at least, we boast that we are so, of liberty of conscience on all subjects, and of the right of free inquiry and pr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7e/john-adams-529_conscience_we-think-ourselves-possessed-or-at-least_583337.jpg" --- # We think ourselves possessed, or, at least, we boast that… ![“We think ourselves possessed, or, at least, we boast that we are so, of liberty of conscience on all subjects, and of the right of free inquiry and private judgment in all cases, and yet how far are we from these exalted privileges in fact!” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7e/john-adams-529_conscience_we-think-ourselves-possessed-or-at-least_583337.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7e/john-adams-529_conscience_we-think-ourselves-possessed-or-at-least_583337.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7e/john-adams-529_conscience_we-think-ourselves-possessed-or-at-least_583337.jpg) > ““We think ourselves possessed, or, at least, we boast that we are so, of liberty of conscience on all subjects, and of the right of free inquiry and private judgment in all cases, and yet how far are we from these exalted privileges in fact!”” [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 criticizes the gap between claimed liberty of conscience and the reality of limited freedom in practice. **In simple terms:** People claim freedom but often lack it. Key Takeaway Examine how true your freedoms are. Themes freedom hypocrisy rights political philosophy Mood critical reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political debate - legal reform - personal reflection - education - activism Key Concepts civil liberties social contract human nature Questions to Reflect On - Do you truly exercise free inquiry? - What limits your private judgment? A Different Perspective Claims of liberty can mask systemic constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) ## Related quotes > [“We think ourselves possessed, or at least we boast that we are so, of liberty of conscience on all subjects and of the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-think-ourselves-possessed-or-at-least-we-boast-that-we-are-so-of-2/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [By liberty of conscience, we understand not only a mere liberty of the mind, in believing or disbelieving this or that principle or doctrine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/by-liberty-of-conscience-we-understand-not-only-a-mere-liberty-of-the/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [I actually think I may be possessed with demons, I was dropped on my head as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rader/i-actually-think-i-may-be-possessed-with-demons-i-was-dropped-on-my/) Dennis Rader > [“You think any of this crap could be possessed? (Zeke) No. I think you’re possessed of the spirit of creepiness. (Mary)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/you-think-any-of-this-crap-could-be-possessed-zeke-no-i-think-you-re/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I actually think I may be possessed with demonds, I was dropped on my head as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/btk-dennis-rader/i-actually-think-i-may-be-possessed-with-demonds-i-was-dropped-on-my/) BTK (Dennis Rader > [I think you’re possessed.” “Old news.” “Huh. Anyone I know?” “My dad. It’s a family issue I’m working on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-monk/i-think-you-re-possessed-old-news-huh-anyone-i-know-my-dad-it-s-a/) [Devon Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-monk/) > [“A recent book by University of Chicago professor of philosophy and law Brian Leiter outlines what I believe will become the theoretical consensus that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-recent-book-by-university-of-chicago-professor-of-philosophy-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To discriminate against a thoroughly upright citizen because he belongs to some particular church, or because, like Abraham Lincoln, he has not avowed his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/to-discriminate-against-a-thoroughly-upright-citizen-because-he/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Liberty of conscience is for those who truly fear the Lord. A fundamental task of the state is the establishment of pure religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cotton/liberty-of-conscience-is-for-those-who-truly-fear-the-lord-a/) [John Cotton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cotton/) > [It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-behooves-every-man-who-values-liberty-of-conscience-for-himself-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The lessons of religious toleration - a toleration which recognizes complete liberty of human thought, liberty of conscience - is one which, by precept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-lessons-of-religious-toleration-a-toleration-which-recognizes/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [If those who oppose Freethought did not strive to force all to think as they do, accept Christ by faith, believe the bible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etta-semple/if-those-who-oppose-freethought-did-not-strive-to-force-all-to-think/) Etta Semple > [For that which you mention concerning liberty of conscience, I meddle not with any man's conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-cromwell/for-that-which-you-mention-concerning-liberty-of-conscience-i-meddle/) [Oliver Cromwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-cromwell/) > [And what is liberty, whose very name makes the heart beat faster and shakes the world? Is it not the union of all liberties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/and-what-is-liberty-whose-very-name-makes-the-heart-beat-faster-and/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [Of the liberty of conscience in matters of religious faith, of speech and of the press; of the trial by jury of the vicinage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/of-the-liberty-of-conscience-in-matters-of-religious-faith-of-speech/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) ## 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 Conscience quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [“Knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabelaise/knowledge-without-conscience-is-but-the-ruin-of-the-soul/) Rabelaise > [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/) [Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/) > [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) > [Let us be thankful for health and competence, and, above all, for a quiet conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izaak-walton/let-us-be-thankful-for-health-and-competence-and-above-all-for-a/) [Izaak Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izaak-walton/) > [Making money doesn't oblige people to forfeit their honor or their conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-de-rothschild/making-money-doesn-t-oblige-people-to-forfeit-their-honor-or-their/) [Guy de Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-de-rothschild/) > [“If we cannot be happy and powerful and prey on others, we invent conscience and prey on ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-we-cannot-be-happy-and-powerful-and-prey-on-others-we-invent/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The God in whose hands are all our days and ways, did cast into my hand one day a book of Martin Luthers; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/the-god-in-whose-hands-are-all-our-days-and-ways-did-cast-into-my/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [My morals are important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-parrish/my-morals-are-important-to-me/) [Hunter Parrish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-parrish/) > [Being tolerant does not mean that I share another ones belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another ones right to believe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-frankl/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-that-i-share-another-ones-belief-but-it/) [Viktor Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-frankl/) > [Never can true courage dwell with them, Who, playing tricks with conscience, dare not look At their own vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/never-can-true-courage-dwell-with-them-who-playing-tricks-with/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/) [John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/) > [I've worked with people who are much further to the left than I am and much further to the right than I am. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/i-ve-worked-with-people-who-are-much-further-to-the-left-than-i-am/) [Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/) > [If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-all-the-world-hated-you-and-believed-you-wicked-while-your-own/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [ \[D\]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. 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