John Adams

"I have come to an immovable creed that a hearing imperfection is a social predilection to tranquility."

"Have you considered that in order to form an advantageous union, we must first know ourselves."

"Genius is sorrow's child."

"Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak."

"There is nothing more important for the public weal than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue."

"The way to glory in a republican government is the way to glory in heaven; by means of an universal benevolence."

"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as reason to withdraw from a friend."

"The duty of an American citizen is the same as the duty of a Roman citizen then. But I will say the Americans are more virtuous than the Romans."

"There are very few certainties that I know with a mathematical certainty."

"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands is the very definition of tyranny."

"Ignorance and inconsistency are the only refuge of abuse and usurpation."

"The only way to ensure safe and secure elections is through personal integrity."

"I have accepted a commission to go to France."

"Our obligation is to use the resources of one generation for the benefit of all generations to come."

"Good laws are the offspring of God's providence."

"Improvement in the condition of mankind requires a steady and universal acknowledgment of inviolable laws of truth."

"The Constitution itself is excellent, but it is work in progress."

"Liberty can no more exist alone than the body can live and act without the mind."

"The only infallible criterion of wisdom is success."

"I will insist, the people ought to have a constitutional check upon the government."

"I am not, never was, and never shall be, in favor of slavery."

"To be good, and to do good, is the whole business of life."

"Science is certain of nothing except by a certain method and by means of instruments and experiments."

"The world needs more of the gifts of Nature and fewer of the gifts of Fortune."

"Fanaticism is a composing thing. It relieves us of the weight of so many bad opinions at once."

"The heart is the first thing that grows cold in the human body."

"I am still learning."

"The sword is a bad implement of law."

"Tyranny is the exercise of some power over a man, which he has not consented to."

"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it."