Quote

Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.

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
Liberty
Republics
Public
Virtuous
Nations
Republic
Cannot
Private
Government
Foundation
Without
Exist
Nation
Virtue

More quotes by John Adams

Image
Popularity, next to virtue and wisdom, ought to be aimed at for it is the dictate of wisdom, and is necessary to the practice of virtue inmost.
John Adams
Image
He is too illiterate, unread, unlearned for his station and reputation.
John Adams
Image
If national pride is ever justifiable or excusable it is when it springs, not from power or riches, grandeur or glory, but from conviction of national innocence, information and benevolence.
John Adams
Image
The foundations of national morality must be laid in private families.
John Adams
Image
The destiny of America is to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to all men everywhere.
John Adams
Image
It is much easier to pull down a government, in such a conjuncture of affairs as we have seen, than to build up, at such a season as the present.
John Adams
Image
The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation.
John Adams
Image
I drink no cider, but feast on Philadelphia beer.
John Adams
Image
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
Image
We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands we have a check upon two branches of the legislature.
John Adams
Image
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.
John Adams
Image
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity
John Adams
Image
This is a revolution, damn it! We're going to have to offend somebody!
John Adams
Image
Ambition is one of the ungovernable passions of the human heart. The love of power is insatiable and uncontrollable.
John Adams
Image
The numbers of men in all ages have preferred ease, slumber, and good cheer to liberty, when they have been in competition.
John Adams
Image
I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation.
John Adams
Image
It is folly to anticipate evils, and madness to create imaginary ones.
John Adams
Image
Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws.
John Adams
Image
They shall not be expected to acknowledge us until we have acknowledged ourselves.
John Adams
Image
The law no passion can disturb. 'Tis void of desire and fear, lust and anger. 'Tis mens sine affectu, written reason, retaining some measure of the divine perfection. It does not enjoin that which pleases a weak, frail man, but, without any regard to persons, commands that which is good and punishes evil in all, whether rich or poor, high or low.
John Adams