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Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.
John Adams
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John Adams
Age: 90 †
Born: 1735
Born: October 19
Died: 1826
Died: July 4
2Nd U.S. President
Diplomat
Lawyer
Political Philosopher
Politician
Statesperson
Braintree
Massachusetts
President Adams
J. Adams
President John Adams
Character
Demand
Authority
Corrupts
Leadership
Increases
Position
Persistence
Rights
Demands
Moral
Morality
Society
Increase
Power
Importance
More quotes by John Adams
In days of yore, the poet's pen From wing of bird was plunder'd, Perhaps of goose, but now and then, From Jove's own eagle sunder'd. But now, metallic pens disclose Alone the poet's numbers In iron inspiration glows, Or with the poet slumbers.
John Adams
I shall have the liberty to think for myself.
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Let justice be done though the heavens should fall.
John Adams
During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.
John Adams
One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three is a Congress.
John Adams
Grief drives men into habits of serious reflection, sharpens the understanding, and softens the heart
John Adams
This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.
John Adams
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: nor is the law less stable than the fact.
John Adams
Individuals have conquered themselves. Nations and large bodies of men, never.
John Adams
As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him.
John Adams
Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it.
John Adams
The right of a nation to kill a tyrant, in cases of necessity, can no more be doubted, than to hang a robber, or kill a flea. But killing one tyrant only makes way for worse, unless the people have sense, spirit and honesty enough to establish and support a constitution guarded at all points against the tyranny of the one, the few, and the many.
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Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. What a Utopia! What a paradise this region would be.
John Adams
Before any great things are accomplished, a memorable change must be made in the system of education...to raise the lower ranks of society nearer to the higher.
John Adams
The appearance of religion only on Sunday proves that it is only an appearance.
John Adams
Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.
John Adams
America is destined to be peopled by one nation, speaking one language, professing one general system of religious and political principles, and accustomed to one general tenor of social usages and customs.
John Adams
Ambition is one of the ungovernable passions of the human heart. The love of power is insatiable and uncontrollable.
John Adams
[I] never understood [what a republican government was and] I believe no other man ever did or ever will.
John Adams
Public business must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or other. If wise man decline, others will not if honest man refuse it, others will not.
John Adams
