Who said a government of laws not men?

Asked by: Michael Mraz  |  Last update: February 18, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (33 votes)

The phrase "a nation of laws, not of men" is famously attributed to Founding Father John Adams, reflecting the core American principle of the rule of law, where government power is limited by laws, not the whims of individuals, though the idea draws from earlier thinkers like James Harrington and Montesquieu, with President Gerald Ford also echoing it.

Who said a government of laws and not of men?

Founding Father John Adams articulated the concept when he famously called a republic “a government of laws, not of men.” John Adams' cousin and fellow Founding Father, Samuel Adams, observed that the rule of law means that “There shall be one rule of justice for rich and poor, for the favorite in court, and the ...

What was John Adams most famous quote?

John Adams' most famous quote often highlights the principle of the Rule of Law, famously stating America is a “government of laws, not of men,” emphasizing that laws, not individuals, should govern. Another very well-known quote, spoken during the Boston Massacre trial, is “Facts are stubborn things,” stressing the importance of evidence over passion, along with his reflection on duty: "The science of government is my duty to study, more than all other sciences". 

What does Adams mean by an empire of laws and not of men?

[T]he very definition of a Republic, is “an Empire of Laws, and not of Men.” That, as a Republic is the best of governments, so that particular arrangement of the powers of society, or in other words that form of government, which is best contrived to secure an impartial and exact execution of the laws, is the best of ...

What did Baron de Montesquieu say about government?

Montesquieu went to great lengths in classifying governments, which he thought had to be adapted to the people over whom they governed. Montesquieu argued that governments over large land areas needed strong central leadership, which he associated with one-person rule.

An empire of laws, not of men

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What is Baron de Montesquieu famous for saying?

From his famous articulation of the separation of powers—”All would be lost if the same man or the same body of principal men… exercised these three powers”—to his nuanced understanding of how republics corrupt and fail, Montesquieu offers timeless insights into the mechanics of political life.

What are the three types of government according to Montesquieu?

He defined three types of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic.

What did John Adams say about the Bible?

The Bible contains the most profound Philosophy, the most perfect Morality, and the most refined Policy, that ever was conceived upon Earth. It is the most Republican Book in the World, and therefore I will still revere it.

Is a republic a government of law not of men?

That the only valuable part of the British constitution is so; because the very definition of a Republic, is “an Empire of Laws, and not of men.” That, as a Republic is the best of governments, so that particular arrangement of the powers of society, or in other words that form of government, which is best contrived to ...

What did King George say to John Adams?

“I pray, Mr. Adams, that the United States does not suffer unduly from its want of a Monarchy.” – King George III to John Adams, June 1, 1785. Suffice to say, we have not.

What did John Adams say when he died?

John Adams's reported last words were "Thomas Jefferson survives," spoken on July 4, 1826, unaware that Jefferson had died hours earlier, a poignant moment occurring on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, according to. These famous final words highlight the lifelong, complex relationship between the two Founding Fathers, who had been friends, then political rivals, and finally reconciled pen pals in retirement, dying on the very same day, notes.
 

What is the most famous quote by a president?

While "most famous" is subjective, John F. Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country," Franklin D. Roosevelt's "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," and Abraham Lincoln's quotes (like "A house divided against itself cannot stand") are consistently cited as among the most iconic presidential statements for their impact and memorability.
 

What is the most famous inspirational quote?

25 famous quotes about pursuing dreams

  • "Believe you can and you're halfway there." — Theodore Roosevelt.
  • "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." — Ralph Waldo Emerson.
  • "The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." — Ayn Rand.

What is Thomas Jefferson's most famous quote?

Thomas Jefferson's most famous quote is often considered to be from the Declaration of Independence, particularly the preamble's "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," but another well-known quote inscribed on the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is, "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" (from a letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush). Other popular ones include "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock," and "When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred". 

What did Benjamin Franklin say about government?

In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a ...

What did Joseph Raz say about the rule of law?

Acts of Parliament are the supreme law and must be obeyed. The rule of law, in stark contrast, is 'a matter of degree', as Raz argues, and must be 'balanced against competing claims of other values' because it is 'just one of the values the law should possess'.

Is the US still considered a democracy?

Yes, the U.S. remains a democracy, specifically a representative democracy and constitutional republic, where citizens elect officials to represent them under a Constitution; however, recent studies and experts classify it as a "mixed democracy" or "flawed democracy," citing issues like declining trust, polarization, potential threats to fair elections, and concerns about executive power, placing it below some traditional peers. While still strong in areas like free speech and elections, its status is viewed as fragile and declining by many indices. 

What did John Adams mean by a government of laws not of men?

By "a government of laws, not of men," John Adams meant that a just republic must rely on fixed, impartial, publicly known laws applied equally to everyone, rather than on the arbitrary whims, personal interests, or biases of rulers (men). This principle ensures stability, protects liberty, and prevents tyranny by creating a system where laws, not individuals, hold ultimate authority, achieved through checks and balances and separation of powers, as outlined in documents like the Massachusetts Constitution.
 

Does the US Constitution say we are a republic?

Yes, the U.S. Constitution establishes America as a republic, specifically a constitutional federal republic, though it uses the word "republic" only once in Article IV, Section 4, promising each state a "Republican Form of Government". The Constitution creates a system where citizens elect representatives to make laws (a republic) and subjects both the people and officials to the Constitution (constitutional), with power divided between national and state governments (federal). 

What did Albert Einstein say about Jesus?

Though Jewish, Albert Einstein expressed deep admiration for Jesus Christ, calling him a "luminous figure" whose personality "pulsates in every word" of the Gospels, acknowledging Jesus's historical existence and his profound, "divine" teachings, even if some sayings echoed earlier prophets, while advocating for a purified Christianity stripped of priestly dogma, focusing on Jesus's ethical message for humanity.
 

What did John Adams say about Jews?

In the Holy Land, mused Adams, Noah could be “at the head of a hundred thousand Israelites… & marching with them into Judea & making a conquest of that country & restoring your nation to the dominion of it. For I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation.”

Who wrote the law of spirit?

The Spirit of Laws is Montesquieu's best known work in which he reflects on the influence of climate on society, the separation of political powers, and the need for checks on a powerful executive office.

Is the US government a true separation of power?

This philosophy heavily influenced the United States Constitution, according to which the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of the United States government are kept distinct in order to prevent abuse of power. The American form of separation of powers is associated with a system of checks and balances.

What did Montesquieu say about human nature?

Montesquieu believes that human beings have three kinds of natures: self-preserving, imperfect knowledge and passions. The first and the third nature tend to conflict with each other, and the result is the state of war, in which human natures could not be satisfied.