John Adams was the Second President of the United States. He signed the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution. And he negotiated the treaty with the British, which ended the
Revolutionary War. Here are some of his best quotes:
“But what do We mean by the American Revolution? Do We mean the American War? The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the Minds and Hearts of the People. A Change in their Religious Sentiments of their Duties and Obligations.”
“Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.”
“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. Aristotle speaks plainly to this purpose, saying, “that the institution of youth should be accommodated to that form of government under which they live; forasmuch as it makes exceedingly for the preservation of the present government, whatsoever it be.”
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
“The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of
God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny
commence.”
“Liberty once lost is lost forever. When the People once surrender their share in the Legislature, and their Right of defending the Limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every Encroachment upon them, they can never regain it.”
“I now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the
existence and attributes of God.”
“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.