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The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations

Book by John Adams · 7 quotes · Government, People, Liberty

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The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations Quotes

“But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed?”

“Without religion this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company, I mean Hell.”

“The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”

“[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.”

“Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic religion?”

“. . . Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or mystery, and which are destined to spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great point gained in favor of the rights of mankind.”

“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 is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.”