Quotes from John Quincy Adams

The great object of the institution of civil government is the improvement of those who are parties to the social compact.

Heaven has given to every human being the power of controlling his passions, and if he neglects or loses it, the fault is his own, and he must be answerable for it.

Gratitude, warm, sincere, intense, when it takes possession of the bosom, fills the soul to overflowing and scarce leaves room for any other sentiment or thought.

Life is a problem; mortal man was made to solve the solemn problem right or wrong.

The imagination of a eunuch dwells more and longer upon the material of love than that of man or woman ... supplying, so far as he can, by speculation, the place of pleasures he can no longer enjoy.

A man's diary is a record in youth of his sentiments, in middle age of his actions, in old age of his reflections.

The mere title of lawyer is sufficient to deprive a man of the public confidence. ... The most innocent and irreproachable life cannot guard a lawyer against the hatred of his fellow citizens.

All that I am my mother made me.

America... goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

The firmest security of peace is the preparation during peace of the defenses of war.

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

Duty is ours, results are God's.

Every temptation is an opportunity of our getting nearer to God.

The magistrate is the servant not of his own desires, not even of the people, but of his God

Our Constitution professedly rests upon the good sense and attachment of the people. This basis, weak as it may appear, has not yet been found to fail.

All the public business in Congress now connects itself with intrigues, and there is great danger that the whole government will degenerate into a struggle of cabals.

Try and fail,but don't fail to try.

Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.

Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will be America's heart, her benedictions and her prayers.

The influence of each human being on others in this life is a kind of immortality.

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

According to the Stoics, all vice was resolvable into folly: according to the Christian principle, it is all the effect of weakness.

Our Constitution rests on the good sense and the respect of the American people.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.