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A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man.

Quote by John Adams about heart, man

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.

Quote by John Adams about society, word

All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise, not from defects in their Constitution or Confederation, not from want of honor or virtue, so much as from the downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation.

Quote by John Adams about defects, confusion, ignorance, virtue, nature

Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion... in private self-defense.

Quote by John Adams about self-control

As much as I converse with sages and heroes, they have very little of my love and admiration. I long for rural and domestic scene, for the warbling of birds and the prattling of my children.

Quote by John Adams about conversation, admiration, children, love

Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.

Quote by John Adams about authority, society, character, moral, power

Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.

Quote by John Adams about democracy

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

Quote by John Adams about state, things

Fear is the foundation of most governments.

Quote by John Adams about fear

Genius is sorrow's child.

Quote by John Adams about sadness, genius, children

Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.

Quote by John Adams about guilt, war

Here is everything which can lay hold of the eye, ear and imagination - everything which can charm and bewitch the simple and ignorant. I wonder how Luther ever broke the spell.

Quote by John Adams about charm, miracle, imagination

I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.

Quote by John Adams about miracle, earth

I have accepted a seat in the House of Representatives, and thereby have consented to my own ruin, to your ruin, and to the ruin of our children. I give you this warning that you may prepare your mind for your fate.

Quote by John Adams about destiny, home, house, children, mind, contentment

I must not write a word to you about politics, because you are a woman.

Quote by John Adams about politics, word, woman, contentment

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.

Quote by John Adams about mathematics, philosophy, politics, liberty, war

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?

Quote by John Adams

In politics the middle way is none at all.

Quote by John Adams about politics

Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.

Quote by John Adams about knowledge

Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.

Quote by John Adams about liberty, knowledge, people