John Adams Quotes

The four most miserable years of my life . . .

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

Swim or sink live or die survive or perish with my country was my unalterable determination.

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

If I had refused to institute a negotiation or had not persevered in it I would have been degraded in my own estimation as a man of honor.

Every man in it is a great man an orator a critic a statesman and therefore every man upon every question must show his oratory his criticism and his political abilities.

In esse I am nothing in posse I am everything.

Be not intimidated...nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice.