John Quincy Adams Quotes, Quotations, and Sayings

25 Famous Quotes by John Quincy Adams
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“You won't realize the distance you've walked until you take a look around and realize how far you've been.”
Inspiration Quotes
“A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.”
Leadership Quotes
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
Motivation Quotes
“Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”
Posterity Quotes
“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
Voting Quotes
“Westward the star of empire takes its way.”
Progress Quotes
Source: in an oration at Plymouth, Massachusetts
“All rising to great place is by a winding stair.”
Progress Quotes
Source: in an oration at Plymouth, Massachusetts
“The declaration that our People are hostile to a government made by themselves, for themselves, and conducted by themselves, is an insult.”
Government Quotes
Source: in an address to the citizens of Westmoreland County, Virginia
“Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that those United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.”
Government Quotes
Source: in a letter to Mrs. Adams
“. . . The manners of women are the surest criterion by which to determine whether a republican government is practicable in a nation or not.”
Government Quotes
Source: Diary
“Not stones, nor wood, nor the art of artisans make a state; but where men are who know how to take care of themselves, these are cities and walls.”
Government Quotes
Source: Diary
“The die was now cast; I had passed the Rubicon. Swim or sink, live or die, survive or perish with my country was my unalterable determination.”
Patriotism Quotes
Source: Works (vol. IV, p. 8), in a conversation with Jonathan Sewell
“This hand, to tyrants ever sworn the foe, For freedom only deals the deadly blow; Then sheathes in calm repose the vengeful blade, For gentle peace in freedom's hallowed shade.”
Peace Quotes
Source: written in an album
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”
Holidays Quotes
Source: in a letter to Mrs. Adams
“"Man wants but little here below Nor wants that little long," 'Tis not with me exactly so; But 'tis so in the song. My wants are many, and, if told, Would muster many a score; And were each wish a mint of gold, I still should long for more.”
Wishes Quotes
Source: The Wants of Man
“This is the last of earth! I am content.”
Last words Quotes
Source: Life of John Quincy Adams, his last words
“Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity!”
Posterity Quotes
Source: in a speech at Plymouth, Massachusetts
“In charity to all mankind, bearing no malice or ill-will to any human being, and even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow-men, not knowing what they do.”
Charity Quotes
Source: in a letter to A. Bronson
“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.”
Courage Quotes
“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.”
Obstacles Quotes
“Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”
History Quotes
“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”
Democracy Quotes
“Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.”
Mind Quotes
“Where annual elections end, there slavery begins.”
Vote Quotes
“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
Vote Quotes