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John Adams Quotes
These John Adams Quotes are taken from his own letters, speeches and writings.
John Adams was a patriot leader of the American Revolution and the second
President of the United States. These John Adams Quotes are listed in chronological
order with links to more at the bottom.
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John Adams |
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John Adams Quotes
"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." - Comment about the vote
to declare independence form Britain, in a letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776
"I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to
maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through
all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that
the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in
that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We
shall not." - Letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776
"I am surprised at the suddenness as well as the greatness of this revolution...
It is the will of Heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It
may be the will of Heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting,
and distresses yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case it will have this good
effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues which we have not, and correct
many errors, follies, and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor, and destroy
us. The furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals.
And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification
from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or they will be no blessings.
The people will have unbounded power, and the people are extremely addicted to
corruption and venality, as well as the great. But I must submit all my hopes
and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may
be, I firmly believe." - Letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776
"I long for rural and domestic scenes, for the warbling of Birds and the Prattle
of my Children. Don't you think I am somewhat poetical this morning, for one of
my Years, and considering the Gravity, and Insipidity of my Employment? - As
much as I converse with Sages and Heroes, they have very little of my Love or
Admiration. I should prefer the Delights of a Garden to the Dominion of a World."
- Letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776
"A constitution founded on these principles introduces knowledge among the people,
and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen; a general emulation
takes place, which causes good humor, sociability, good manners, and good morals
to be general. That elevation of sentiment inspired by such a government, makes
the common people brave and enterprising. That ambition which is inspired by it
makes them sober, industrious, and frugal." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is
virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote
the general happiness than any other form?" - Thoughts on Government, 1776
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Quotes? Read on!
John Adams
Presidential Coin
"Upon this point all speculative politicians will agree, that the happiness of
society is the end of government, as all divines and moral philosophers will
agree that the happiness of the individual is the end of man. From this principle
it will follow that the form of government which communicates ease, comfort,
security, or, in one word, happiness, to the greatest numbers of persons, and
in the greatest degree, is the best." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"Judges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws,
of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention. Their
minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be
dependent upon any man, or body of men." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"That, as a republic is the best of governments, so that particular arrangements
of the powers of society, or, in other words, that form of government which is
best contrived to secure an impartial and exact execution of the laws, is the
best of republics." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"There is no good government but what is republican. That the only valuable part
of the British constitution is so; for the true idea of a republic is "an empire
of laws, and not of men." That, as a republic is the best of governments, so that
particular arrangement of the powers of society, or in other words, that form of
government which is best contrived to secure an impartial and exact execution of
the law, is the best of republics." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a
passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable,
that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which
is founded on it." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
Read on for more great
John Adams Quotes
"It is the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons, to
worship the SUPREME BEING, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe.
And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty,
or estate, for worshipping GOD in the manner most agreeable to the dictates
of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided
he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious
worship." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"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." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the
people, and every blessing of society depend so much upon an upright and skillful
administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both
the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a
check upon both, and both should be checks upon that." - Thoughts on Government,
1776
"Fear is the foundation of most governments." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"It already appears, that there must be in every society of men superiors and
inferiors, because God has laid in the constitution and course of nature the
foundations of the distinction." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
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John Adams Quotes
"Wisdom and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally among the body
of the people, being necessary for the preservation of their rights and
liberties, and as these depend on spreading the opportunities and advantages
of education in the various parts of the country, and among the different
orders of people, it shall be the duty of legislators and magistrates...
to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries
of them." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"We ought to consider what is the end of government before we determine which is
the best form. Upon this point all speculative politicians will agree that the
happiness of society is the end of government, as all divines and moral philosophers
will agree that the happiness of the individual is the end of man... All sober
inquirers after truth, ancient and modern, pagan and Christian, have declared
that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue." - Thoughts
on Government, 1776
"Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the
enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to standing laws.
He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this
protection; and to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary.
But no part of the property of any individual can, with justice, be taken from
him, or applied to public uses, without his own consent, or that of the
representative body of the people. In fine, the people of this commonwealth
are not controllable by any other laws than those to which their constitutional
representative body have given their consent." - Thoughts on Government, 1776
"As good government is an empire of laws, how shall your laws be made? In a
large society, inhabiting an extensive country, it is impossible that the whole
should assemble to make laws. The first necessary step, then, is to depute
power from the many to a few of the most wise and good." - Thoughts on
Government, 1776
"The use of the Bible is so universal and its importance so great that your
committee refers the above to the consideration of Congress, and if Congress
shall not think it expedient to order the importation of types and paper, the
Committee recommends that Congress will order the Committee of Commerce to
import 20,000 Bibles from Holland, Scotland, or elsewhere, into the different
parts of the States of the Union. Whereupon it was resolved accordingly to
direct said Committee of Commerce to import 20,000 copies of the Bible." -
On Committee to import bibles, September 11, 1777
"Let justice be done though the heavens should fall." - Letter to Elbridge
Gerry, December 5, 1777
You can visit John and Abigail's home today. It is managed by the
National Park Service and has lots of memorabilia and history to absorb.
Visit the Adams'
Home website here.
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Did you enjoy these John Adams Quotes? Check out these inspirational
quotations from some other Founding Fathers
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