WIST Quotations

Adams, Samuel -- “The Rights of the Colonists,” Report of the Committee of Correspondence to the Boston Town Meeting (1772-11-20)

Dave — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 00:38:01 +0000

In regard to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever practiced, and, both by precept and example, inculcated on mankind.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
“The Rights of the Colonists,” Report of the Committee of Correspondence to the Boston Town Meeting (1772-11-20)
(Source)

Adams, Samuel -- “The Rights of the Colonists” (20 Nov 1772)

Dave — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:45:04 +0000

As neither reason requires nor religion permits the contrary, every man living in or out of a state of civil society has a right peaceably and quietly to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
“The Rights of the Colonists” (20 Nov 1772)

Full text.

Adams, Samuel -- (Spurious)

Dave — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:46:39 +0000

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
(Spurious)

Frequently attributed to Samuel or John Adams, but not found before the 1990s. See here and here for more information.

Adams, Samuel -- Essay (written as “Candidus”), The Boston Gazette (14 Oct 1771)

Dave — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:45:35 +0000

The liberties of our Country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have receiv’d them as a fair Inheritance from our worthy Ancestors: They purchas’d them for us with toil and danger and expence of treasure and blood; and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle; or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
Essay (written as “Candidus”), The Boston Gazette (14 Oct 1771)

Adams, Samuel -- Essay, The Advertiser (1748)

Dave — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:25:40 +0000

We must not conclude merely upon a man’s haranguing upon liberty, and using the charming sound, that he is fit to be trusted with the liberties of his country. It is not unfrequent to hear men declaim loudly upon liberty, who, if we may judge by the whole tenor of their actions, mean nothing else by it but their own liberty, — to oppress without control or the restraint of laws all who are poorer or weaker than themselves.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
Essay, The Advertiser (1748)
(Source)

Adams, Samuel -- Letter to James Warren (4 Nov 1775)

Dave — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 04:14:05 +0000

The public cannot be too curious concerning the characters of public men.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
Letter to James Warren (4 Nov 1775)

Adams, Samuel -- Letter to Samuel Cooper (30 Apr. 1776)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

It requires time to bring honest men to think & determine alike even in important matters. Mankind are governed more by their feelings than by reason. Events which excite those feelings will produce wonderful effects.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
Letter to Samuel Cooper (30 Apr. 1776)

Adams, Samuel -- Letter to Samuel Cooper (30 Apr. 1776)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

One battle would do more towards a Declaration of Independence than a long chain of conclusive arguments in a provincial convention or the Continental Congress.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
Letter to Samuel Cooper (30 Apr. 1776)

Adams, Samuel -- Speech, State House of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (1 Aug 1776)

Dave — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:35:17 +0000

Were the talents and virtues which heaven has bestowed on men given merely to make them more obedient drudges, to be sacrificed to the follies and ambition of a few? Or, were not the noble gifts so equally dispensed with a divine purpose and law, that they should as nearly as possible be equally exerted, and the blessings of Providence be equally enjoyed by all?

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
Speech, State House of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (1 Aug 1776)

Adams, Samuel -- Speech, State House, Philadelphia (1776-08-01)

Dave — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:15:37 +0000

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom — go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) American revolutionary, statesman
Speech, State House, Philadelphia (1776-08-01)
(Source)