John Hancock quotes

John Hancock was an American statesman and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution, best remembered for his bold signature on the Declaration of Independence. As president of the Second Continental Congress, his leadership played a critical role in the nation's founding. He later served as the first and third governor of Massachusetts. Here are 12 of his quotes:

Some boast of being friends to government; I am a friend to righteous government, to a government founded upon the principles of reason and justice; but I glory in publicly avowing my eternal enmity to tyranny.

John Hancock

The important consequences to the American States from this Declaration of Independence, considered as the ground and foundation of a future government, naturally suggest the propriety of proclaiming it in such a manner as that the people may be universally informed of it.

John Hancock

That people who pay greater respect to a wealthy villain than to an honest, upright man in poverty, almost deserve to be enslaved; they plainly show that wealth, however it may be acquired, is, in their esteem, to be preferred to virtue.

John Hancock

The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and to influence their actions.

John Hancock

I find money some way or other goes very fast. But I think I can reflect it has been spent with satisfaction and to my own honour.

John Hancock

I have the most animating confidence that the present noble struggle for liberty will terminate gloriously for America.

John Hancock

I have always, from my earliest youth, rejoiced in the felicity of my fellow-men.

John Hancock

Surely you never will tamely suffer this country to be a den of thieves.

John Hancock

A well-disciplined militia is a safe, an honorable guard to a community like this, whose inhabitants are by nature brave, and are laudably tenacious of that freedom in which they were born.

John Hancock

I mean not to boast; I would not excite envy, but manly emulation. We have all one common cause; let it, therefore, be our only contest, who shall most contribute to the security of the liberties of America. And may the same kind Providence which has watched over this country from her infant state still enable us to defeat our enemies!

John Hancock