Tag Archives: John Adams

First Principles: Democracy Soon Degenerates Into the Depths of Such Anarchy That All Moral Virtue Is Extinguished

“Democracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man’s life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these … Continue reading

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First Principles: Inclinations and Passions Must Yield to Evidentiary Facts

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” – John Adams (1770)      

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First Principles: Religion and Virtue Are the Foundation of Free Government and Human Society

“Religion and Virtue are the only Foundations, not only of Republicanism and of all free Government, but of Social Felicity under all Governments and in all the Combinations of human Society.” – John Adams (1811)    

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First Principles: National Defense Is A Cardinal Duty

“National defense is one of the cardinal duties of a statesman.” – John Adams, 1815    

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First Principles: A Judge, Particularly A Supreme Court Justice, Should Be of Particular Merit, Character and Ability

“Judges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention. Their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon any man, or … Continue reading

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First Principles: Facts Are Stubborn Things

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” – John Adams (1770)    

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First Principles: The Happiness and Dignity of Mankind Consists In Virtue

“[T]he happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue.” – John Adams (1776)    

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First Principles: We Must Be Careful of the Ability of the Press To Stoke the Fires of Resentment and Revenge

“As unbalanced parties of every description can never tolerate a free inquiry of any kind, when employed against themselves, the license, and even the most temperate freedom of the press, soon excite resentment and revenge.” – John Adams, Discourses on … Continue reading

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First Principles: Our Society’s Children Should Be Educated and Taught the Principles of Freedom

“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” – John Adams (1787)      

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First Principles: The United States Is A Republic of Law Not Persons

“They define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men.” – John Adams (1775)    

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