The happiness of society is the end of government. – John Adams
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. – John Adams
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. – 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
If they can prove that I am wrong by that time, I will give it up to their wisdom, but not after to any ones judgment, till I see the end of another year for the Lord will begin with a new century and I will see what he will do, before I will hearken to any mans judgment. – Joanna Southcott