John Adams

We're in a war, dammit! We're going to have to offend somebody!

Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.

It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation's humble acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence.

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

I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than the means.

Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.

The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing.

Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Had I been chosen President again, I am certain I could not have lived another year.

You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.