In John Adams early life he was a lawyer, diplomat, statesman, and a political theorist. These talents helped him become the first Vice President to George Washington and the second President of the United States. He was one of the Founding Fathers that help the movement for American independence against Great Britain. He was also a dedicated diarist and correspondent, mainly to his wife Abigail. Because of his numerous letters we have a better understanding of what his life was like during that time. His son John Quincy Adams followed in his footsteps shortly after his father becoming the 6th President of the United States.

John Adams Great Quote

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery of party faction and division of society.

Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak.

Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.

John Adams Quotes on Politics, Government, and Power

John Adams Politics Quote

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.

I must not write a word to you about politics because you are a woman.

In politics the middle way is none at all.

John Adams Government Quote

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

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.

The happiness of society is the end of government.

A government of laws and not of men.

While all other sciences have advanced that of government is at a standstill – little better understood little better practiced now than three or four thousand years ago.

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.

John Adams Power Quote

Because power corrupts society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.

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

John Adams Quotes on Imagination, Knowledge, and Fear

John Adams Imagination Quote

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.

My country has contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.

John Adams Knowledge Quote

Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read think speak and write.

John Adams Fear Quote

Fear is the foundation of most governments.

John Adams Quotes on Men and God

John Adams Men Quote

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 God Quote

Power always thinks… that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all his laws.

John Adams Quotes on Age and Design

John Adams Age Quote

Old minds are like old horses you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.

John Adams Design Quote

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.