John Adams: Government Not For Profit
on Tuesday, December 1, 2015John Adams Money Quotation saying the government he helped to found was for the protection and happiness of everyone and not a limited privileged few. John Adams said:
“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men” — John Adams
This quote from John Adams expresses the core principle that the purpose of establishing a system of government is to serve the well-being and benefit of all citizens within a society, rather than the priorities of any single person, family, or social class.
It suggests that a government’s role and function should be to protect the people, ensure their security and safety, promote overall prosperity, and support the happiness of the population as a whole. According to Adams, a just system of rule is not meant to generate profit, status, or advantage for any private individual or group at the expense of others.
Rather, the “common good” of the entire populace should be the foremost aim and driving force behind a legitimate government’s policies, decisions and leadership.
Birthday October 30, 1735 – Died July 4, 1826