Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people. John Adams on knowledge
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. John Adams on men
The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. John Adams on men
A government of laws, and not of men. John Adams on men
All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise, not from defects in their Constitution or Confederation, not from want of honor or virtue, so much as from the downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation. John Adams on nature
In politics the middle way is none at all. John Adams on politics
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. John Adams on politics
I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman. John Adams on politics
Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws. John Adams on power
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. John Adams on power
Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases. John Adams on power
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak. John Adams on power
Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power. John Adams on power
The happiness of society is the end of government. John Adams on society
Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases. John Adams on society
Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society. John Adams on society
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. John Adams on trust
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. John Adams on war
Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war. John Adams on war
Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people. John Adams on freedom