Importance of an Education

"The preservation of the means of k nowledge among the lowest ranks is of more importance to the public than all the property of all the rich men in the country."

John Adams

Back to School

"Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among people."

John Adams

Weakness

"It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power."

John Adams

Weakness

"It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power."

John Adams

Against all Hazards

"Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned it and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

John Adams

What do we mean by Revolution?

"As to the history of the revolution, my ideas may be peculiar perhaps singular. What do we mean by the revolution? The war? That was no part of the revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected from 1760 to 1775, in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington."

John Adams in a letter to Thomas Jefferson

Foundations

"Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it."
John Adams (Thoughts on Government, 1776)

Principles of Freedom

"Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.

John Adams 1787

Preserving Liberty

"Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among people."

John Adams

Principles of Freedom

"Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom."

John Adams

The Reality of Power

"Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws."
John Adams

Facts

"Facts are stubborn things."

John Adams

A Republic, If You Can Keep It

"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

John Adams

Where to Stand

"Always stand on principle....even if you stand alone."

John Adams

Two Types of Education

"There are two types of education... One should teach us how to make a living, And the other how to live."

John Adams

Liberty Lost

"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever."

John Adams

A Noble Rank

"Let the pulpit resound with the doctrine and sentiments of religious liberty. Let us hear of the dignity of man's nature, and the noble rank he holds among the works of God...Let it be known that British liberties are not the grants of princes and parliments."

John Adams
"Dissertaion on teh Canon and Feudal Law"; 1765

In the Middle

"I agree with you that in politics the middle way is none at all"

John Adams; Letter to Horatio Gates March 1776

"...a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever."

John Adams

Solemnity

“[Independence Day] will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
– John Adams
From a letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress