John Adams: Quotes & Facts

This book is an anthology of quotes from John Adams and selected facts about John Adams. “I am determined to control events, not be controlled by them.” “There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.” “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” “Always stand on principle....even if you stand alone.” “The foundations of national morality must be laid in private families.” “Ideology is the science of idiots.” “The happiness of society is the end of government.” “Power must never be trusted without a check.” “A man ought to avow his opinions and defend them with boldness.” “Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide.” “Everything in life should be done with reflection.” “I want to see my wife and children every day, I want to see my grass and blossoms and corn ... But above all, except the wife and children, I want to see my books.” “In Virginia... all geese are swans.” “It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.” “Let justice be done though the heavens should fall.” John Adams, Jr. was served as the second President of the United States (1797–1801), the first Vice President (1789–1797), and as a Founding Father was a leader of American independence from Great Britain. Adams was the father of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. Adams was a direct descendent of Puritans, who came to the American wilderness. Adams' paternal great-grandfather David Adams emigrated from Wales in 1675 and sixty years later his great-grandson, John Adams, was born. Adams married his third cousin Abigail Smith (1744–1818) on October 25, 1764. Adams and his wife had six children. Adams did not speak French, the international language of diplomacy at the time. Adams became one of the founders and charter members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1780. On July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Adams died at his home in Quincy, at approximately 6:20 PM. Jefferson died earlier the same day. Adams' crypt lies at United First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts, with his wife Abigail and son John Quincy Adams. Adams never bought a slave and declined on principle to utilize slave labor. Adams was appointed in 1785 the first American minister to the Court of St. James's (ambassador to Great Britain).