John Adams on democracy

Remember democracy never lasts long.  It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself.  There never was a democracy yet, that did not commit suicide.  It is in vain to say that democracy is less vain, less proud, less selfish, less ambitious or less avaricious than aristocracy or monarchy.

~ John Adams, letter to John Taylor, December 17, 1814

John Adams on banking

Our whole system of banks is a violation of every honest principle of banks.  There is no honest bank but a bank of deposit. A bank that issues paper at interest is a pickpocket or a robber.  But the delusion will have its course...  An aristocracy is growing out of them that will be as fatal as the feudal barons if unchecked in time.

~ John Adams

John Adams on the Constitution and morality

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion...  Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people.  It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.

~ John Adams

John Adams on useless men

One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three is a Congress.

~ John Adams

John Adams on debt

There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.

~ John Adams (1735-1826)

John Adams
1797-1801

John Adams on civic responsibility

We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands; we have a check upon two branches of the legislature...  It becomes necessary to every [citizen] then, to be in some degree a statesman: and to examine and judge for himself... the... political principles and measures.  Let us examine them with a sober... Christian spirit.

~ John Adams

John Adams & His House
1940

John Adams on fear

Fear is the foundation of most governments.

~ John Adams, Thoughts on Government (1776)