"I inhabit a weak, frail, decayed tenement; battered by the winds and broken in on by the storms, and, from all I can learn, the landlord does not intend to repair." - During his last illness
"I inhabit a weak, frail, decayed tenement; battered by the winds and broken in on by the storms, and, from all I can learn, the landlord does not intend to repair."
- During his last illness
 
"The influence of each human being on others in this life is a kind of immortality."
 
"I do say in the most solemn manner, that Mr. Otis's Oration against Writs of Assistance breathed into this nation the breath of life."
 
"Mr. Jefferson loves to excite wonder."
 
"Stuart caught a glimpse of the living spirit shining through the feeble and decrepit body."
- On Gilbert Stuart's portrait of his father, John Adams
 
"This is the last of earth! I am content."
- Last words
 
"Duty is ours; results are God's."
 
"Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."