The Portable John Adams

The true source of our sufferings has been our timidity.

Government has no right to hurt a hair on the head of an Atheist for his Opinions. Let him have a care of his Practices.{Letter to his son and future president, John Quincy Adams, 16 June 1816}

It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and c…

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.