Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

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.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Fear is the foundation of most government.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

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.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Liberty can not be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

In politics the middle way is none at all.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations. This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

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.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.More John Adams [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:41]

Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:25]

Fear is the foundation of most governments.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:46]

Genius is sorrow's child.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:56]

Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:06]

I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:52]

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:51]

Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:12]

Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:22]

The Declaration of Independence I always considered as a theatrical show. Jefferson ran away with all the stage effect of that... and all the glory of it.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:44]

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.More John Adams [07/11/2011 12:07:53]