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Every measure of prudence, therefore, ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States ... I have, throughout my whole life, held the practice of slavery in ... abhorrence.

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
States
Total
Whole
Measure
Every
Held
Life
Slavery
Abhorrence
Therefore
Eventual
Ought
Assumed
Practice
Prudence
United
Throughout

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I shall have liberty to think for myself without molesting others or being molested myself.
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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.
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Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.
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But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
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We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.
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There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.
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A government of laws, and not of men.
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Negro Slavery is an evil of Colossal magnitude. I am therefore utterly averse to the admission of Slavery into the Missouri Territory, and heartily wish that every Constitutional measure may be adopted for the preservation of it.
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This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.
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There is nothing I dread so much as the division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our constitution.
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[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.
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The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.
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I never engaged in public affairs for my own interest, pleasure, envy, jealousy, avarice or ambition, or even the desire of fame
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I would quarrel with both parties, and with every individual of each, before I would subjugate my understanding, or prostitute my tongue or pen to either.
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[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.
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Power in any Form . . . when directed only by human Wisdom and Benevolence is dangerous.
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Had I been chosen President again, I am certain I could not have lived another year.
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