Samuel Adams Liberty Quotations

Mankind are governed more by their feelings than by reason.

We cannot make events. Our business is wisely to improve them.

Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.

The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks.

Our union is now complete; our constitution composed, established, and approved. You are now the guardians of your own liberties.

If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.

The diminution of public virtue is usually attended with that of public happiness, and the public liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals.

[M]en will be free no longer then while they remain virtuous.

Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness.

Shame on the men who can court exemption from present trouble and expense at the price of their own posterity's liberty!

If virtue & knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great security.

All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.

If we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom.

Liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals.

It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue

[N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.

No people ever yet groaned under the heavy yoke of slavery, but when they deserv'd it. ...The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought. ...If therefore a people will not be free; if they have not virtue enough to maintain their liberty against a presumptuous invader, they deserve no pity, and are to be treated with contempt and ignominy.