Quotes from John Adams
Why have I not genius to start some new thought? Some thing that will surprise the world?
- John Adams
Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.
- John Adams
Among all the disappointments and perplexities which have fallen my share in life, nothing has contributed so much to support my mind as the choice blessing of a wife....
- John Adams
It may amuse you to hear a Story. A few days ago, in Company with Dr Zubly, somebody said, there was nobody on our side but the Almighty. The Dr. who is a Native of Switzerland, and speaks but broken English, quickly replied 'Dat is enough.
- John Adams
Facts are stubborn things.
- John Adams
A government of laws, and not of men.
- John Adams
Politeness, delicacy [and] decency ... are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery, and cowardice.
- John Adams
He wrote as a young man that God's noblest gift was the gift of an inquiring mind.
- John Adams
Be it remembered, that liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we have not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.
- John Adams
Defeat appears to me preferable to total Inaction.
- John Adams
I cannot think it either Vanity or Virtue to acknowledge, that the Acquisition and communication of Knowledge, are the sole Entertainment of my Life
- John Adams
Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.
- John Adams