Quotes by John Adams
1735 – 1826
John Adams (1735-1826) was one of the principal framers of the American republic and the successor to Washington as president. Before the Revolution he wrote some of the most important documents on the nature of the British Constitution and the meaning of rights, sovereignty, representation, and obligation. And it was Adams who, once the colonies had declared independence, wrote equally important works on possible forms of government in a quest to develop a science of politics for the construction of a constitution for the proposed republic.
Law
John Adams argues that the British Empire is not a “true” empire but a form of a “republic” where the rule of law operates (1763)
Law
John Adams predicts a glorious future for America under the new Constitution and is in “reverence and awe” at its future prospects (1787)
Politics & Liberty
John Adams thought he could see arbitrary power emerging in the American colonies and urged his countrymen to “nip it in the bud” before they lost all their liberties (1774)
Presidents, Kings, Tyrants, & Despots
John Adams on how absolute power intoxicates those who excercise that power (1814)
Revolution
Adams and Jefferson reflect on the Revolution and the future of liberty (1823)
The State
John Adams on Religion and the Constitution