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John Adams Quotes - Page 4

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It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and

It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever.

Law, Ideas, Evil

"John Adams: Quotes & Facts". Book by Blago Kirov, 2016.

Everything in life should be done with reflection.

Reflection, Done, Should

The real fabric of American society is not all those flags you see on people's cars...it's in the Bill of Rights and in our constitutional form of government.

Peace, Real, War

It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power.

Men, Presidential, Weakness

John Adams (2004). “The Portable John Adams”, p.36, Penguin

I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.

Bible, God, Religious

To believe all men honest is folly. To believe none is something worse.

Believe, Men, Honest

Have you ever found in history, one single example of a nation, thoroughly corrupted, that was afterwards restored to virtue? And without virtue there can be no political liberty.

Political, Liberty, Example

John Adams, Charles Francis Adams (1856). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.386

The happiness of society is the end of government.

Happiness, Government, Presidential

'Thoughts on Government' (1776)

In every society where property exists there will ever be a struggle between rich and poor. Mixed in one assembly, equal laws can never be expected; they will either be made by the member to plunder the few who are rich, or by the influence to fleece the many who are poor.

Struggle, Law, Influence

John Adams, George A. Peek, Jr. (2003). “The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections”, p.158, Hackett Publishing

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion, - as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen, - and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Christian, Religious, Atheist

"Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Signed at Tripoli". The Barbary Treaties 1786-1816, avalon.law.yale.edu. November 04, 1796.

And liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people who have a right from the frame of their nature to knowledge, as their great Creator who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings and a desire to know. But besides this they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible divine right to the most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean of the characters and conduct of their rulers.

Education, Character, Mean

John Adams (2004). “The Portable John Adams”, p.219, Penguin

[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.

Rights, Government, Law

John Adams (2015). “The Works of John Adams Vol. 3: Autobiography, Diary, Notes of a Debate in the Senate, Essays”, p.369, Jazzybee Verlag

We hold that each man is the best judge of his own interest.

Men, Judging, Interest

Rulers are no more than attorneys, agents, and trustees, for the people; and if the cause, the interest and trust, is insidiously betrayed, or wantonly trifled away, the people have a right to revoke the authority that they themselves have deputed, and to constitute abler and better agents, attorneys, and trustees.

People, Agents, Betrayed

John Adams, George A. Peek, Jr. (2003). “The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections”, p.13, Hackett Publishing

Here, every private person is authorized to arm himself, and on the strength of this authority, I do not deny the inhabitants had a right to arm themselves at that time, for their defense, not for offense.

Gun, Defense, Arms

"Legal Papers of John Adams". Book edited by L. Kinvin Wroth and Hiller B. Zobel, 3:248, 1965.

No good government but what is republican... the very definition of a republic is 'an empire of laws, and not of men.'

Men, Law, America

John Adams (1851). “The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.194

The government of the United States of America has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.

Character, Law, America

"Treaty of Tripoli". Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary signed by President John Adams (Article 11), www.huffingtonpost.com. June 10, 1797.

Power always sincerely, conscientiously, de très bon foi, believes itself right. Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views, beyond the comprehension of the weak.

Believe, Power, Thinking

John Adams, Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson (1959). “The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams. 1812-1826”

In politics the middle way is none at all.

Success, Law, Nerd

Letter to Horatio Gates, 23 March 1776

We shall, by and by, want a world of hemp more for our own consumption.

Weed, Marijuana, World

Government is nothing more than the combined force of society, or the united power of the multitude, for the peace, order, safety, good and happiness of the people.

Government, Order, People

John Adams (1964). “Diary and Autobiography”

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.

Education, Philosophy, War

John Adams (2003). “The Letters of John and Abigail Adams”, p.264, Penguin

It is the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons, to worship the SUPREME BEING, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping GOD in the manner most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship.

God, Religious, Hurt

John Adams, George A. Peek, Jr. (2003). “The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections”, p.96, Hackett Publishing

It is not only the juror's right, but his duty to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment and conscience, though in direct opposition to the instruction of the court.

War, Understanding, Drug

"Justice Often Served By Jury Nullification". www.foxnews.com. August 01, 2005.

The whole drama of the world is such tragedy that I am weary of the spectacle.

Drama, Tragedy, World

John Adams (1841). “Letters of John Adams: Addressed to His Wife”, p.127

Born: October 30, 1735 - July 4, 1826
Occupation: 2nd U.S. President

Quotes: 406

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