Quotes from John Adams

Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, 'that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.

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.

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. I give you this warning that you may prepare your mind for your fate.

Why have I not genius to start some new thought? Some thing that will surprise the world?

when men know not what to do , they ought not to do they know not what

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

In general, our generals were out generalled.

All the perplexities, confusions, and distresses in America arise, not from defects in their constitution or confederation, nor from want of honor or virtue, as much from downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit, and circulation.

Eloquence in public assemblies is not the surest road to fame and preferment, at least unless it be used with great caution, very rarely, and with great reserve.

this wasted time i have found by constant experience to be as indispensable as sleep.

We shall convince France and the world, that we are not a degraded people, humiliated under a colonial spirit of fear and a sense of inferiority, fitted to be the miserable instruments of foreign influence, and regardless of national honor, character, and interest.

Among all the disappointments and perplexities which have fallen my share in life, nothing has contributed so much to support my mind as the choice blessing of a wife....

But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma ... and you will soon find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your eyes and hand, and fly into your face and eyes.

It may amuse you to hear a Story. A few days ago, in Company with Dr Zubly, somebody said, there was nobody on our side but the Almighty. The Dr. who is a Native of Switzerland, and speaks but broken English, quickly replied 'Dat is enough.

Facts are stubborn things.

In Virginia... all geese are swans.

What a fine affair it would be if we could flit across the Atlantic as they say the angels do from planet to planet.

A taste for literature and a turn for business, united in the same person, never fails to make a great man.

I shall never shine 'til some animating occasion calls forth all my powers.

A government of laws, and not of men

Politeness, delicacy [and] decency ... are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery, and cowardice.

The liberty, the unalienable, indefeasible rights of men, the honor and dignity of human nature, the grandeur and glory of the public, and the universal happiness of individuals, were never so skillfully and successfully consulted as in that most excellent monument of human art, the common law of England.

I never saw the face of Cobbett...I should not know him if I met him in my porridge dish.

He wrote as a young man that God's noblest gift was the gift of an inquiring mind.