John Adams

Founding Father, Politician

John Adams was a Founding Father and the second President of the United States, known for his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and advocating for liberty.

Born
October 30, 1735
Died
July 4, 1826
Quotes
406
Rank
#3377

About John Adams

John Adams — Life and Legacy

John Adams, a pivotal figure in American history, served as the second President of the United States and was instrumental in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. His commitment to liberty and governance shaped the early framework of the nation. Adams believed that a government should be a protector of individual rights, famously stating, 'A government of laws, and not of men,' which underscores his conviction that laws should guide society, not arbitrary power. His quotes often reflect a deep understanding of the complexities of freedom and responsibility. For instance, when he said, 'Liberty must at all hazards be supported,' he emphasized that the fight for freedom is a continuous struggle, one that requires vigilance and sacrifice. This perspective was shaped by his experiences during the American Revolution, where he witnessed the challenges of establishing a new government. Adams's thoughts on governance and civic duty remain relevant today. His assertion that 'Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives' speaks to the enduring nature of patriotism and civic responsibility. In a time when the principles of democracy are constantly tested, his insights remind us of the foundational values that should guide our actions and policies.

Quote collection

John Adams quotes (page 1 of 21)

406 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"There is nothing I dread so much as the division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our constitution."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword. The other is by debt."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"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: nor is the law less stable than the fact."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] ... it is declared ... that no pretext arising from religious opinion shall ever product an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.... The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or a Mohammedan nation."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three is a Congress."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion, - as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen, - and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"My God! This is a revolution! We have to offend someone!"

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Ideology is the science of idiots."

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John Adams Founding Father, Politician
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"Power must never be trusted without a check."

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