Quotes by

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson — still surv – John Adams

Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity. – John Adams

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve? – 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 others. – John Adams

I read my eyes out and cant read half enough. The more one reads the more one sees we have to read. – John Adams

I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! – John Adams

All the perplexities, confusions, and distresses in America arise, not from defects in their constitution or confederation, not from a want of honor or virtue, so much as from downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit, and circulation. – John Adams

But America is a great, unwieldy Body. Its Progress must be slow. It is like a large Fleet sailing under Convoy. The fleetest Sailors must wait for the dullest and slowest. Like a Coach and sixthe swiftest Horses must be slackened and the slowest quickened, that all may keep an even Pace. – John Adams

I request that they may be considered in confidence, until the members of Congress are fully possessed of their contents, and shall have had opportunity to deliberate on the consequences of their publication; after which time, I submit them to your wisdom. – John Adams

Genius is sorrows child. – John Adams

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. – John Adams

Fear is the foundation of most government. – John Adams

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. – John Adams

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. – John Adams

There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live. – John Adams

Because power corrupts, societys demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases. – John Adams

Power always thinks… that it is doing Gods service when it is violating all his laws. – John Adams

Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power. – John Adams

I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman. – John Adams

In politics the middle way is none at all. – John Adams