Quote

A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man.

John Adams

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Well
Patriotic
Esteemed
Heart
Beloved
Praised
Men
Discovered
Earliest
Considered
Admired
Fellows
Flattery
Virtue
Observed
Desire
Humankind
Keenest
Wells
Disposition
Dispositions

More quotes by John Adams

Image
There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of others.
John Adams
Image
In politics the middle way is none at all.
John Adams
Image
You are apprehensive of monarchy I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.
John Adams
Image
They shall not be expected to acknowledge us until we have acknowledged ourselves.
John Adams
Image
The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people, and must be willing to bear the expenses of it. There should not be a district of one mile square, without a school in it, not founded by a charitable individual, but maintained at the public expense of the people themselves.
John Adams
Image
While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little better understood, little better practiced now than three or four thousand years ago.
John Adams
Image
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.
John Adams
Image
One sailor will do us more good than two soldiers.
John Adams
Image
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.
John Adams
Image
Slavery is a foul contagion in the human character.
John Adams
Image
Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion... in private self-defense.
John Adams
Image
The frightful engines of ecclesiastical councils, of diabolical malice, and Calvinistical good-nature never failed to terrify me exceedingly whenever I thought of preaching.
John Adams
Image
I would define liberty to be a power to do as we would be done by. The definition of liberty to be the power of doing whatever the law permits, meaning the civil laws, does not seem satisfactory.
John Adams
Image
Here is everything which can lay hold of the eye, ear and imagination - everything which can charm and bewitch the simple and ignorant. I wonder how Luther ever broke the spell.
John Adams
Image
Negro slavery is an evil of colossal magnitude.
John Adams
Image
If the way to do good to my country were to render myself popular, I could easily do it. But extravagant popularity is not the road to public advantage.
John Adams
Image
[You have Rights] antecedent to all earthly governments: Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws Rights, derived from the Great Legislator of the universe.
John Adams
Image
My country has contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.
John Adams
Image
They worry one another like mastiffs, scrambling for rank and pay like apes for nuts.
John Adams
Image
We shall, by and by, want a world of hemp more for our own consumption.
John Adams