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The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity

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
Independence
Christianity
General
Principles
Founders
Father
Founding
Fathers
Achieved

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I am determined to control events, not be controlled by them.
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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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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.
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Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
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The furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals. And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or there will be no blessings.
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Ideology is the science of idiots.
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When you see a good move, sit on your hands and find a better one.
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[I] never understood [what a republican government was and] I believe no other man ever did or ever will.
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Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society.
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[You have Rights] antecedent to all earthly governments: Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws Rights, derived from the Great Legislator of the universe.
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It is folly to anticipate evils, and madness to create imaginary ones.
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If the multitude is possessed of the balance of real estate, the multitude will have the balance of power, and in that case the multitude will take care of the liberty, virtue, and interest of the multitude in all acts of government.
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When economic power became concentrated in a few hands, then political power flowed to those possessors and away from the citizens, ultimately resulting in an oligarchy or tyranny.
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What is to become of an independent statesman, one who will bow the knee to no idol, who will worship nothing as a divinity but truth, virtue, and his country? I will tell you he will be regarded more by posterity than those who worship hounds and horses and although he will not make his own fortune, he will make the fortune of his country.
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This is a revolution, damn it! We're going to have to offend somebody!
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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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The only way to form an army to be confided in, was a systematic discipline, by which means all men may be made heroes.
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What other form of government, indeed, can so well deserve our esteem and love?
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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.
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