“Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right… and a desire to know-but besides this they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded, and envied kind of knowledge. I mean of the characters and conduct of their rulers.”
This powerful statement from John Adams serves as a cornerstone of American political thought. It argues that freedom is not a passive state. Instead, it requires an active, informed citizenry. Adams penned these words long before he became president. They reveal his deep convictions about the relationship between knowledge, the people, and power. To truly understand this quote, we must explore its origins, its meaning, and its enduring relevance in our modern world.
The Origin: A Dissertation on Law and Liberty
John Adams wrote this famous passage in 1765. Source It appeared in his work, A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law. . This was not a dry legal document. It was a fiery response to the political climate of the time. The British Parliament had just passed the Stamp Act, a direct tax on the American colonies. Consequently, colonists felt their rights as Englishmen were under attack.
Adams used the dissertation to argue against such tyranny. He connected the oppressive systems of the past (canon and feudal law) to the current threats from Britain. He believed that both systems relied on keeping the common person ignorant. Therefore, education and knowledge were revolutionary acts. For Adams, an informed public was the ultimate defense against governmental overreach. His words were a call to action for his fellow colonists. He urged them to educate themselves and scrutinize the actions of their rulers.
Deconstructing the Core Message
Adams builds his argument in distinct, powerful layers. First, he establishes a direct link between knowledge and liberty. He states that liberty “cannot be preserved” without it. This is an absolute statement. Freedom, in his view, withers in the darkness of ignorance. People who do not understand their rights or their government cannot effectively protect either. This foundational idea remains central to democratic theory today.
Next, he elevates the pursuit of knowledge to a fundamental right. It is not merely a good habit or a civic duty. It is an “indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right.” By using such strong, absolute language, Adams places this right on par with life and liberty itself. He specifically focuses on the most “dreaded” type of knowledge: insight into the “characters and conduct of their rulers.” This is the knowledge that those in power often wish to hide. It is also the knowledge that is most essential for holding them accountable.
The Power of an Informed Citizenry
The quote champions the idea of a vigilant public. A government, whether a monarchy or a republic, can become corrupt. Adams knew this from his study of history. The only reliable check on this tendency is the people themselves. However, this check is useless if the people are uninformed. They must understand the laws, the political processes, and the actions of their elected officials. This understanding empowers them to challenge injustice and demand transparency.
Furthermore, this knowledge helps citizens make wise choices. It allows them to elect virtuous leaders and support sound policies. An uninformed populace, in contrast, is susceptible to manipulation and demagoguery. They might trade their freedoms for false promises of security. Adams’s warning is clear: a nation that values liberty must also value education and a free press. These are the tools that create and sustain a general knowledge among the people.
Modern Relevance in the Digital Age
Adams’s words resonate powerfully in the 21st century. Today, we have unprecedented access to information. The internet and social media can be incredible tools for creating an informed citizenry. For example, people can now watch legislative sessions live, read government reports online, and access investigative journalism from around the globe. This allows for a level of scrutiny that Adams could only have dreamed of. Citizens can share information and organize movements with incredible speed, holding rulers accountable in real-time.
However, this digital age also presents new challenges. The same tools can spread misinformation and disinformation just as quickly. It can be difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. This creates a new burden for the modern citizen. We must not only seek knowledge but also develop critical thinking skills to evaluate it. The “general knowledge” Adams spoke of now includes media literacy. We must understand how algorithms shape what we see and recognize the signs of propaganda. His call for a desire to know remains more important than ever. It compels us to be active, discerning consumers of information, not passive recipients.