109+ John Adams Quotes [Eloquent, Insightful]

John Adams, the second President of the United States, was known for his eloquence and insightful remarks.

Here are some characteristics of John Adams’ quotes:

• Intellectual Depth: John Adams was a highly educated and thoughtful individual. His quotes often reflect his deep understanding of history, political theory, and human nature. He possessed a keen intellect, which is evident in his writings and speeches.
• Political Wisdom: As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, John Adams had a profound impact on shaping the nation’s political landscape. His quotes often demonstrate his astute political observations, emphasizing the importance of liberty, democracy, and the rule of law.
• Patriotism: John Adams was a fervent patriot who believed in the ideals of the American Revolution. His quotes frequently express his love for his country and his dedication to preserving its independence and republican principles.
• Clarity of Expression: John Adams had a talent for expressing complex ideas in a concise and straightforward manner. His quotes are often marked by their clarity and precision, making them easily memorable and quotable.
• Wit and Humor: While known for his serious demeanor, John Adams also possessed a sharp wit and a keen sense of humor. His quotes occasionally contain playful or satirical elements, providing a lighter touch to his otherwise weighty pronouncements.
• Strong Moral Convictions: John Adams was a man of strong moral character and deeply held convictions. His quotes often reflect his unwavering commitment to principles such as justice, equality, and individual rights.
• Historical Perspective: Having witnessed and played an active role in the early years of the United States, John Adams had a unique historical perspective. His quotes sometimes draw upon historical events and lessons, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by the young nation.

Overall, John Adams’ quotes encapsulate his wisdom, patriotism, and profound understanding of politics and human nature.

They continue to inspire and resonate with people seeking knowledge and guidance from one of America’s founding fathers.

John Adams Quotes

Here are some quotes attributed to John Adams:

1. “There are two types of education… One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live.”
2. “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.”
3. “Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
4. I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.
5. “Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people.”
6. “The happiness of society is the end of government.”
7. “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
8. “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.”
9. “Power always thinks… that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all his laws.”
10. “I have accepted a seat in the [Massachusetts] House of Representatives, and thereby have consented to my own ruin, to your ruin, and to the ruin of our children.”
11. “Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”
12. “To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.”
13. “I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”
14. “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.”
15. “Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.”
16. “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom!”
17. “Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.”
18. “Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.”
19. “Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.”
20. “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
21. “The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories.”
22. “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.”
23. “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.”
24. “Human nature itself is evermore an advocate for liberty.”
25. “You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket.”
26. “The right of a nation to kill a tyrant in case of necessity can no more be doubted than to hang a robber, or kill a flea.”
27. “Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.”
28. “Let justice and humanity be the guiding principles of all our actions.”
29. “I say, let the world go on as it will, I will be uppermost.”
30. “Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.”
31. “The happiness of society depends so much on preventing misery and vice that he who is endeavoring to promote the one and diminish the other is executing the noblest possible work.”
32. “It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished.”
33. “Every man may reign secure in his petty tyranny, and spread terror and desolation around him, until the trump of the Archangel shall excite different emotions in his soul.”
34. “The preservation of the means of knowledge among the lowest ranks is of more importance to the public than all the property of all the rich men in the country.”
35. “To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, countries, or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government.”
36. “I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress!”
37. “I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman.”
38. “The happiness of mankind depends upon their virtue.”
39. “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader and converting measures in opposition to each other.”
40. “In politics, the middle way is none at all.”
41. “I read my eyes out, and can’t read half enough.”
42. “Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.”
43. “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
44. “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.”
45. “We ought to consider what is the end of government before we determine which is the best form.”
46. “To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.”
47. “Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.”
48. “The preservation of liberty depends on the intellectual and moral character of the people.”
49. “Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.”
50. “Let us disappoint the men who would raise themselves upon the ruin of our country.”
51. “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
52. “To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, countries, or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government.”
53. “The happiness of society depends so much on preventing misery and vice that he who is endeavoring to promote the one and diminish the other is executing the noblest possible work.”
54. “It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished.”
55. “The preservation of the means of knowledge among the lowest ranks is of more importance to the public than all the property of all the rich men in the country.”
56. “I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress!”
57. “I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman.”
58. “The happiness of mankind depends upon their virtue.”
59. “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader and converting measures in opposition to each other.”
60. “I read my eyes out, and can’t read half enough.”

These quotes showcase the diverse range of John Adams’ thoughts on various topics, including government, liberty, knowledge, virtue, and the importance of unity.

Inspirational John Adams Quotes

Inspirational John Adams Quotes:

1. “There are two types of education… One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live.”
2. “Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
3. “Every problem is an opportunity in disguise.”
4. “Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.”
5. “Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.”
6. “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
7. “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.”
8. “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
9. “I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.”
10. “The happiness of society is the end of government.”

Short John Adams Quotes

Short John Adams Quotes:

1. “Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.”
2. “Power must never be trusted without a check.”
3. “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few.”
4. “I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace, that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a congress.”
5. “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.”
6. “We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.”
7. “I study war and politics so that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.”
8. “I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence.”
9. “The happiness of mankind seems to have been the original intention of the Author of our existence.”
10. “Liberty, according to my metaphysics, is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent.”

Funny John Adams Quotes

Funny John Adams Quotes:

1. “I am a mortal and irreconcilable enemy to monarchy.”
2. “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.”
3. “You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket.”
4. “Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.”
5. “You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.”
6. Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
7. “I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a congress!”
8. “I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence.”
9. “I have accepted a seat in the House of Representatives, and thereby have consented to my own ruin, to your ruin, and to the ruin of our children.”
10. “The science of government it is my duty to study, more than all other sciences; the arts of legislation and administration and negotiation ought to take the place of, indeed exclude, in a manner, all other arts. I must study politics and war, that our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.”

Famous John Adams Quotes

Famous John Adams Quotes:

1. “Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
2. “There are two types of education… One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live.”
3. “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.”
4. “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.”
5. “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
6. “The happiness of society is the end of government.”
7. “I study war and politics so that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.”
8. “The happiness of mankind seems to have been the original intention of the Author of our existence.”
9. “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom!”
10. “Power must never be trusted without a check.”

Deep John Adams Quotes

Deep John Adams Quotes:

1. “The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know… Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This is enough.”
2. “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.”
3. “Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty.”
4. “I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in Providence.”
5. “I am a mortal and irreconcilable enemy to monarchy.”
6. “Power must never be trusted without a check.”
7. “Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.”
8. “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
9. Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or another. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not.”
10. “The preservation of the means of knowledge among the lowest ranks is of more importance to the public than all the property of all the rich men in the country.”

Conclusion

John Adams, the second President of the United States, left behind a legacy of thought-provoking and influential quotes.

Known for his intellectual depth, political wisdom, and strong moral convictions, Adams’ quotes reflect his commitment to liberty, justice, and the preservation of democratic ideals.

His words emphasize the importance of knowledge, virtue, and the active participation of the people in the governance of their society.

From warnings about the dangers of tyranny and the necessity of an informed citizenry to his wit and humor, Adams’ quotes continue to inspire and resonate with audiences today.

Through his eloquent expressions, Adams leaves us with valuable insights into the principles and values that underpin a free and prosperous society.

His quotes serve as a reminder of the enduring relevance of his ideas and the continued importance of upholding the principles upon which the United States was founded.

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