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John Quincy Adams Quotes

6th U.S. President

John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States, born on July 11, 1767, and died on February 28, 1848. He was a prominent statesman, diplomat, and scholar, known for his extensive knowledge and political experience.

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Famous John Quincy Adams Quotes

“I cannot ask of heaven success, even for my country, in a cause where she should be in the wrong.”

Should Country Asks Heaven Causes

Book:John Quincy Adams and American continental empire: letters, papers and speeches

Source: John Quincy Adams and American continental empire: letters, papers and speeches

“I want the seals of power and place, the ensigns of command, charged by the people's unbought grace, to rule my native land. Nor crown, nor scepter would I ask but from my country's will, by day, by night, to ply the task her cup of bliss to fill.”

People Want Country Night Asks Grace Land Tasks Command Cups Bliss Native Crowns Seals Native Land Plies

Author:John Quincy Adams

“The barbarian chieftain, who defended his country against the Roman invasion, driven to the remotest extremity of Britain, and stimulating his followers to battle, by all that has power of persuasion upon the human heart, concludes his exhortation by an appeal to these irresistible feelings - "Think of your forefathers and of your posterity."”

“I shall look for whatever success may attend my public service; and knowing that "except the Lord keep the city the watchman waketh but in vain," with fervent supplications for His favor, to His overruling providence I commit with humble but fearless confidence my own fate and the future destinies of my country.”

Source: The Selected Writings of John and John Quincy Adams

“A gentleman of one of the first fortunes upon the continent...sacrificing his ease, and hazarding all in the cause of his country.”

Firsts Country Causes Sacrifice Fortune Ease Gentleman Continents

Author:John Quincy Adams

“So great is my veneration for the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society. I have for many years made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year.”

Years Children Made Country Practice Citizens Prove Members Bible Made It My Children Biblical Respectable Veneration Bible Reading

Author:John Quincy Adams

“The inconsistency of the institution of domestic slavery with the principles of the Declaration of Independence was seen and lamented . . . no insincerity or hypocrisy can be fairly laid to their charge. Never from their lips was heard one syllable of attempt to justify the institution of slavery. They universally considered it as a reproach fastened upon them by the unnatural step-mother country and they saw that before the principles of the Declaration of Independence slavery, in common with every other mode of oppression, was destined sooner or later to be banished from the earth.”

“I say women exhibit the most exalted virtue when they depart from the domestic circle and enter on the concerns of their country, of humanity, and of their G-d!”

Country Humanity Virtue Concern Circles Presidential Exhibits Exalted

Author:John Quincy Adams

“May our country be always successful, but whether successful or otherwise, always right.”

May Country America Successful Our Country Presidential

Author:John Quincy Adams

“Of the two great political parties which have divided the opinions and feelings of our country, the candid and the just will now admit that both have contributed splendid talents, spotless integrity, ardent patriotism, and disinterested sacrifices to the formation and administration of this Government, and that both have required a liberal indulgence for a portion of human infirmity and error.”

Source: John Quincy Adams, 1767-1848; chronology, documents, bibliographical aids

“The public history of all countries, and all ages, is but a sort of mask, richly colored. The interior working of the machinery must be foul.”

Country Age History Mask Interiors Machinery Foul

Book:Diary, 1794-1845: American Diplomacy and Political, Social, and Intellectual Life from Washington to Polk

Source: Diary, 1794-1845: American Diplomacy and Political, Social, and Intellectual Life from Washington to Polk