Power in any Form . . . when directed only by human Wisdom and Benevolence is dangerous. John Adams More Quotes by John Adams More Quotes From John Adams Government has no Right to hurt a hair of the head of an Atheist, for his Opinions. Let him have a care of his Practices. John Adams atheist hurt hair Banks have done more injury to the religion, morality, tranquility, prosperity, and even wealth of the nation than they can have done or ever will do good. John Adams banking morality done This is my religion ... joy and exaltation in my own existence ... so go ahead and snarl ... bite ... howl, you Calvinistic divines and all you who say I am no Christian. I say you are not Christian. John Adams christian joy religion Before any great things are accomplished, a memorable change must be made in the system of education...to raise the lower ranks of society nearer to the higher. John Adams teaching memorable teacher Property monopolized or in the possession of a few is a curse to mankind. John Adams curse mankind possession Resistance to sudden violence, for the preservation not only of my person, my limbs, and life, but of my property, is an indisputable right of nature which I have never surrendered to the public by the compact of society, and which perhaps, I could not surrender if I would. John Adams gun nature life 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. John Adams religious hurt god A taste for literature and a turn for business, united in the same person, never fails to make a great man. John Adams taste literature men We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus! John Adams religious god bible In politics the middle way is none at all. John Adams nerd law success 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. John Adams tyrants strength peace I am determined to control events, not be controlled by them. John Adams determined virtue events That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience. John Adams second-amendment gun rights As unbalanced parties of every description can never tolerate a free inquiry of any kind, when employed against themselves, the license, and even the most temperate freedom of the press, soon excite resentment and revenge. John Adams inquiry party revenge To believe all men honest is folly. To believe none is something worse. John Adams honest men believe Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write. John Adams education inspiring book All sober inquirers after truth, ancient and modern, pagan and Christian, have declared that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue. John Adams dignity christian men The happiness of society is the end of government. John Adams presidential government happiness 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. John Adams power believe thinking Men must be ready, they must pride themselves and be happy to sacrifice their private pleasures, passions and interests, nay, their private friendships and dearest connections, when they stand in competition with the rights of society. John Adams sacrifice passion pride