A character in John Adams
Played by Paul Giamatti
John Adams · 37 quotes
Most-quoted character in John Adams: in 11 of its 37 quotes
Most scenes with: Thomas Jefferson (5), Abigail Adams (2)
John AdamsYou know, it is universally believed that Dr. Franklin has accomplished our revolution entirely by himself with a simple wave of his electric wand. Whatever merits he may have as a philosopher, as a legislator he has done very little, sir. Very little, indeed.
South Carolina, on behalf of its sister colonies ...
John AdamsStates!
John AdamsIf ever there was a natural alliance, surely it is between the republics of the Netherlands and the United States. The Dutch first gave asylum to the pilgrims. New York and New Jersey were first settled by your countrymen.
May I remind you that the Netherlands were a republic long before America was even an idea?
John AdamsIndeed. Indeed, sir. If I may, America and Holland are so close in history, in religion, in government that every Dutchman instructed in the subject must pronounce the American Revolution just and necessary, or pass censure on the greatest actions of his immortal ancestors.
Well, I have been in France for such a short time. It would be unfair to pass sentence or form judgement.
Which implies that you've already done both.
Well, if I had, Mr. Jefferson, I would only offer them after my further experience had shown my wisdom or the error of my ways.
An admirable caution.
John AdamsYes, and highly uncharacteristic, I assure you.
John AdamsI have seen what the future holds, Abigail. Men and manners, principles, opinions. They've altered very much in this country. Authority is our only protection against discord, civil war and sedition. Now the office of the president, no doubt, is sufficient to establish such authority. But we must not be surprised if we ever find we need a monarch -
Oh! You would do well -
John Adams- to keep us from coming asunder!
- to keep your thoughts to yourself, John! People will say that your mind has been tainted by foreign courts. They are already saying such things in Boston.
Our constitution has many good articles, and some bad ones. I do not know yet which predominate.
John AdamsWell without this government our republic would have collapsed into anarchy long ago.
With this government, I am not certain that we are a republic.
Well... to the revolution.
John AdamsWhose?
[angrily] They are one and the same, John! Are they not?
John AdamsMr. President.
Mr. President.
John AdamsThank you, sir. Thank you.
I am fairly out, and you are fairly in. See which of us will be the happiest.
War is inevitable, sir.
John AdamsNo, war is never inevitable. It must be the course of last resort. How great would be the guilt of an unnecessary war?
John AdamsThese war measures will protect us from insurrection and subversion.
There is no war.
John AdamsAnd that is the principle behind these measures - the prevention of war.
You cannot protect the nation by attacking the right of every man to speak freely without fear. You're trampling on the Constitution. The states will have no alternative but to resist these measures, which are an assault on the liberty of their people.
John AdamsYes, but the people's representatives demanded these acts. Would you have me deaf to the voice of the people?
If the Federalist conspirators are allowed to defeat this election, there will be resistance by force, and the consequences could be incalculable.
John AdamsThe outcome of this election is within your power. You would do well to quiet your revolutionary notions, Thomas. You have only to say that you will not turn out the government's officers, will maintain the navy, that you will honor the national debt - all of which the Federalists hold dear - and the government will instantly be in your hands.
I will not enter office but in perfect freedom to follow the dictates of my own judgment.
These quotes come from Wikiquote's John Adams pages and are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.
