John Adams quotes

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

When annual elections end, there slavery begins.
John Adams

The substance and essence of Christianity, as I understand it, is eternal and unchangeable,
and will bear examination forever, but it has been mixed with extraneous ingredients, which I
think will not bear examination, and they ought to be separated.
John Adams

Power must never be trusted without a check.
John Adams

Metaphysicians and politicians may dispute forever, but they will never find any other moral
principle or foundation of rule or obedience, than the consent of governors and governed.
John Adams

A man ought to avow his opinions and defend them with boldness.
John Adams

It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt
and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence
itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say,
"Whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection,"
and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end
of security whatsoever.
John Adams

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