John Adams

"The Christian religion is above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient times."

"A wise man adapts himself to circumstances as water molds itself to the pitcher."

"The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation."

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

"Facts are stubborn things and whatever may be our wishes or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

"The greatest of all virtues is to be found in the integrity of the human heart."

"Every experiment carries with it the flavor of the experimenter."

"Whoever wishes to found a state and give it laws must presuppose that all men are bad by nature."

"Whoever desires to found a lasting state ought to have recourse to discipline, for which rewards and punishments are the strongest means that nature has put into our hands."

"The grand security of human happiness must rest upon the character of the government."

"Let every man be judged by his actions."

"You bid me think of the past, and I cannot but recollect that I am an old man."

"The judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both."

"Individuality is the aim of political liberty."

"I never have been tried as a private character; perhaps I cannot be; but I have been tried as a public one."

"The only foundation of a free people is virtue."

"Children are the riches of a nation."

"A mind always employed is always happy."

"Envy is more incapable of being endured than any other evil."

"Beware of the political fanatic."

"The judicial department has not the power of the purse nor of the sword."

"There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties."

"The true foundation of theology is to ascertain the character of God."

"Liberty, according to my metaphysics, is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent."

"The most binding ties are a man's word and his honor."

"What buildings have you erected? Have you erected a magnificent library?"

"The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty."

"Human nature is well disposed, but is made corrupt by circumstances."

"I must depend upon the supposition that good principles, honest intentions, and a sincere desire to promote the public good."

"The prospect now before us is chastening and awful."