The happiness of society is the end of government.

John Adams

More information about this quote

Topic

Purpose of government Political theory Politics

Author

John Adams

Source

Thoughts on Government, Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies

Medium

Pamphlet

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Adams, John. Thoughts on Government, Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1776.

Current Citation

Adams, John. "Thoughts on Government, Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies, April 1776." John Adams: Revolutionary Writings 1775-1783, edited by Gordon S. Wood. Library of America, 2011.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by John Adams about purpose of government: “The happiness of society is the end of government.”
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A quote by John Adams about purpose of government: “The happiness of society is the end of government.”
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A quote by John Adams about purpose of government: “The happiness of society is the end of government.”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by John Adams

A government of laws, and not of men.

John Adams

More information about this quote
Topic
Rule of law Law

Author

John Adams
Source
To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay Boston Gazette
Medium
Essay Newspaper
Language
English
Time
1775 1770s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Adams, John, [published as Novanglus]. "To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay." Boston Gazette, 6 Mar. 1775.

Current Citation

Adams, John. "Novanglus No. VII, March 6, 1775." John Adams: Revolutionary Writings 1755-1775, edited by Gordon S. Wood. Library of America, 2011.

Another quote from the 1770s

That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

Richard Henry Lee

Lee Resolution

More information about this quote
Topic
American Revolution

Author

Richard Henry Lee
Source
Lee Resolution
Language
English
Time
1776 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Lee, Richard Henry. Lee Resolution. 2 July 1776.

Another quote about Politics

Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.

James Madison

Federalist 10

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Read Federalist No. 10 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Political leadership Checks and balances Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison
Source
Federalist 10 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1787 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Another quote from 1776

He who dares not offend cannot be honest.

Thomas Paine

The Forester's Letters

More information about this quote
Topic
Politeness

Author

Thomas Paine
Source
The Forester's Letters
Medium
Open letter
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1776 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Paine, Thomas. Letter to Cato. 22 Apr. 1776.

Current Citation

Paine, Thomas. "Letter III, April 22, 1776." Common Sense, The Crisis, & Other Writings from the American Revolution. Library of America, 2015.