John Adams, (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page John Adams Quote “There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.”John Adams ~ John Adams (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President Civilization , Government , Power , Trust Ratings and Comments Reply David L. Rosenthal, Hollywood 6/1/06 Bingo! Reply Mike, NC 6/1/06 Reply Anonymous, Reston, VA US 6/1/06 Reply Joe, Rochester, MI 6/1/06 Politicians say "trust ME to run your life". No thank you! I prefer to run my own life. Reply Mike, Norwalk 6/1/06 1 Reply E Archer, NYC 6/1/06 Especially look out for altruistic do-gooders who want to protect us from ourselves. Reply Anonymous, Penticton BC Canada 6/1/06 just like your president Reply bvsbsh, usgj 2/9/07 Reply Rick, erie,pa 6/18/10 It makes it easy to not trust this whole administration. Who are these people?! A lot of harvard and ivy league schools. Wow, they must really know. Note: End of Godfather 2.....Sonny, in the flashback, but only now with good reason in reality with our government:" D'you go to school to get stupid!" Reply Don Nelson, Surrey, BC 3/25/15 Went looking for my favourite quotation on government and couldn't find it. You need to add it to your site. It goes as follows:A society of sheep, MUST in time, beget a government of wolves. - Bertrand deJouvenal Reply Mary, MI 4/21/20 1 Reply Ronw13, Oregon 4/21/20 " The altenate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetuated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of the individual, and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this despotism to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public liberty." Washington's Farewell Address. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This John Adams quote is found in these categories: Civilization quotes Government quotes Power quotes Trust quotes About John Adams Bio of John Adams Quotations by John Adams Books by/about John Adams John Adams videos John Adams on Wikipedia Astrological chart for John Adams