Quote

Whenever serious art loses track of its roots in the vernacular, then it begins to atrophy.

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
Atrophy
Begins
Whenever
Track
Roots
Serious
Loses
Art
Vernacular

More quotes by John Adams

Image
I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved - the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!
John Adams
Image
Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.
John Adams
Image
I desire no other inscription over my gravestone than: 'Here lies John Adams, who took upon himself the responsibility of peace with France in the year 1800'.
John Adams
Image
I Pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessing on this house, and on ALL that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof!
John Adams
Image
Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.
John Adams
Image
All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise, not from defects in their Constitution or Confederation, not from want of honor or virtue, so much as from the downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation.
John Adams
Image
I had heard my father say that he never knew a piece of land run away or break.
John Adams
Image
I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation.
John Adams
Image
Mankind will in time discover that unbridled majorities are as tyrannical and cruel as unlimited despots.
John Adams
Image
Power must never be trusted without a check.
John Adams
Image
The Declaration of Independence I always considered as a theatrical show. Jefferson ran away with all the stage effect of that... and all the glory of it.
John Adams
Image
If the empire of superstition and hypocrisy should be overthrown, happy indeed will it be for the world but if all religion and morality should be over-thrown with it, what advantage will be gained?
John Adams
Image
Grief drives men into habits of serious reflection, sharpens the understanding, and softens the heart
John Adams
Image
Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.
John Adams
Image
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
Image
Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.
John Adams
Image
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.
John Adams
Image
My God! This is a revolution! We have to offend someone!
John Adams
Image
What havoc, said I to myself, would these manners make in America! Our governors, our judges, our senators or representatives, and even our ministers, would be appointed by harlots, for money and their judgments, decrees, and decisions, be sold to repay themselves, or, perhaps, to procure the smiles of profligate females.
John Adams
Image
I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen.
John Adams