Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

— John Quincy Adams

America... goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

— John Quincy Adams

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

— John Quincy Adams

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

— John Quincy Adams

Democracy, pure democracy, has at least its foundation in a generous theory of human rights. It is founded on the natural equality of mankind. It is the cornerstone of the Christian religion. Furthermore, it is the first element of all lawful government upon earth.

— John Quincy Adams

If the fundamental principles in the Declaration of Independence, as self-evident truths, are real truths, the existence of slavery, in any form, is a wrong.

— John Quincy Adams

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

— John Quincy Adams

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.

— John Quincy Adams

Isn't the brand of 'double-dealer' stamped on the forehead of every democratic slaveholder? Aren't fraud and hypocrisy the religion of the man who calls himself a democrat, and hold his fellow-man in bondage?

— John Quincy Adams

No one knows, and few conceive, the agony of mind that I have suffered from the time that I was made by circumstances, and not by my volition, a candidate for the Presidency till I was dismissed from that station by the failure of my election.

— John Quincy Adams