Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order. John Adams More Quotes by John Adams More Quotes From John Adams A native of America who cannot read or write is . . . as rare as a comet or an earthquake. John Adams educationwritingamerica 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. John Adams agentsbetrayedpeople You will ever remember that all the end of study is to make you a good man and a useful citizen. John Adams inspirational-lifeeducationmen An honest, sensible, humane man, . . . laboring to do good rather than be rich, to be useful rather than make a show, living in modest simplicity . . . is really the most respectable man in society, [and] makes himself and all about him most happy. John Adams simplicitymoneymen The National defense is one of the cardinal duties of a statesman. John Adams cardinalsdutydefense As good government is an empire of laws, how shall your laws be made? In a large society, inhabiting an extensive country, it is impossible that the whole should assemble to make laws. The first necessary step, then, is to depute power from the many to a few of the most wise and good. John Adams governmentwisecountry Had I been chosen President again, I am certain I could not have lived another year. John Adams presidentlifeyears Let justice be done though the heavens should fall. John Adams bad-assjusticefall My country has contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived. John Adams mencountryhistory 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 independencepoliticalglory As much as I converse with sages and heroes, they have very little of my love and admiration. I long for rural and domestic scene, for the warbling of birds and the prattling of my children. John Adams herolovechildren The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation. John Adams idolswritingmen I would define liberty to be a power to do as we would be done by. The definition of liberty to be the power of doing whatever the law permits, meaning the civil laws, does not seem satisfactory. John Adams libertylawdoe Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war. John Adams warpeacehistory The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. John Adams lawjusticeideas They worry one another like mastiffs, scrambling for rank and pay like apes for nuts. John Adams politicalnutsworry When legislature is corrupted, the people are undone. John Adams undonelegislaturepeople The balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. John Adams accompanybalanceland There is but one element of government, and that is THE PEOPLE. From this element spring all governments. "For a nation to be free, it is only necessary that she wills it." For a nation to be slave, it is only necessary that she wills it. John Adams governmentspringpeople Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and I shall die abhorring. John Adams usuryloanbanking
