Quotes-Compendium ~ John Adams quotes

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Illustrated Quotes

John Adams (19 quotes)

John Adams was the second president of the United States (1797â€“1801), having earlier served as the first vice president of the United States (1789-1797). An American Founding Father, Adams was a statesman, diplomat, and a leading advocate of American independence from Great Britain.
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The proposition that the people are the best keepers of their own liberties is not true. They are the worst conceivable, they are no keepers at all; they can neither judge, act, think, or will, as a political body.

Freedom, Politic, Society

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.

Society

But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

Freedom, Society

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.

Education, Freedom

In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.

Work, Society

All the perplexities, confusions, 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.

Society

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.

Intelligence, Experience

Jefferson still survivies.

...a revolution of government is the strongest proof that can be given by a people of their virtue and good sense.

Patriotism, Society, Power

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