John Adams
Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, ''that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.''
While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little better understood, little better practiced now than three or four thousand years ago.
When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.
Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity.
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.
There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.
The right of a nation to kill a tyrant in case of necessity can no more be doubted than to hang a robber, or kill a flea.
The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations.
The happiness of society is the end of government.
The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.
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.
Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.
Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty.
Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws.
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak.
Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.
My country has contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.
Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power.
Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.
In politics the middle way is none at all.