Adams, John quotes
1735-1826 Second President of the USARemember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.
Adams, John
Democracy
Here is everything which can lay hold of the eye, ear and imagination -- everything which can charm and bewitch the simple and ignorant. I wonder how Luther ever broke the spell.
Adams, John
Catholicism
A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man.
Adams, John
Desire
There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.
Adams, John
Education
Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power.
Adams, John
Freedom
Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.
Adams, John
Freedom
Fear is the foundation of most government.
Adams, John
Government
Thomas Jefferson -- still surv
Adams, John
Famous Last Words
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
Adams, John
Facts
When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.
Adams, John
Freedom
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
Adams, John
Freedom
Genius is sorrow s child.
Adams, John
Genius
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak.
Adams, John
Power
Liberty can not be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.
Adams, John
Liberty
In politics the middle way is none at all.
Adams, John
Politicians and Politics
The happiness of society is the end of government.
Adams, John
Society
Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.
Adams, John
Mind
Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity.
Adams, John
Past
The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations. This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution.
Adams, John
Revolutions and Revolutionaries
If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?
Adams, John
Service
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.
Adams, John
Revolutions and Revolutionaries
I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.
Adams, John
America
As much as I converse with sages and heroes, they have very little of my love and admiration. I long for rural and domestic scene, for the warbling of birds and the prattling of my children
Adams, John
Children
Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.
Adams, John
Words