John Hancock was an American merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence, so much so that the term “John Hancock” or “Hancock” has become a nickname in the United States for one’s signature. These John Hancock quotes will motivate you.
Best John Hancock Quotes
- “Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual… Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.” ~ John Hancock
- “A chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life.” ~ John Hancock
- “We must be unanimous; there must be no pulling different ways; we must hang together.” ~ John Hancock
- “There! His Majesty can now read my name without glasses. And he can double the reward on my head!” ~ John Hancock
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“I urge you by all this is dear, by all that is honorable, by all that is sacred, not only that you pray but also that you act!” ~ John Hancock
- “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 more people who own little businesses of their own, the safer our country will be, and the better off its cities and towns; for the people who have a stake in their country and their community are its best citizens.” ~ John Hancock
- “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
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“I shall look forward to a pleasant time.” ~ John Hancock
- “I congratulate you and my country on the singular favor of heaven in the peaceable and auspicious settlement of our government upon a Constitution formed by wisdom, and sanctified by the solemn choice of the people who are to live under it. May the Supreme ruler of the world be pleased to establish and perpetuate these new foundations of liberty and glory….Thank God, my country is saved and by the smile of Heaven I am a free and independant man.” ~ 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
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“The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward.” ~ John Hancock
- “In circumstances as dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgments, …at the same time all confidence must be withheld from the means we use; and reposed only on that God rules in the armies of Heaven, and without His whole blessing, the best human counsels are but foolishness.” ~ John Hancock
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“…that all may bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ and that the whole Earth may be filled with his glory.” ~ John Hancock
- “Let this sad tale of death never be told without a tear: let every parent tell the shameful story to his listening children, till tears of pity glisten in their eyes, or boiling passion shakes their tender frames.” ~ John Hancock
- “Though we are politically enemies, yet with regard to Science it is presumable we shall not dissent from the practice of civilized people in promoting it” ~ John Hancock
- “Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement … Manners, by which not only the freedom, but the very existence of the republics, are greatly affected, depend much upon the public institutions of religion and the good education of youth; in both these instances our fathers laid wise foundations, for which their posterity have had reason to bless their memory.” ~ John Hancock
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“I glory in publicly avowing my eternal enmity to tyranny.” ~ John Hancock
- “Maybe we need to fall on the common-sense side of protecting these species but continue harvesting wood products we all use and enjoy. We’ve got to be able to do both – protect water quality and species, as well as harvest trees.” ~ John Hancock
- “I John Hancock, . . . being advanced in years and being of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God-therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make and ordain this my last will and testament…Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth . . . nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God. . .” ~ John Hancock
- “It is the Happiness of his Church that when the Powers of Earth and Hell combine against it…that the Throne of Grace is of the easiest access-and its Appeal thither is graciously invited by the Father of Mercies, who has assured it, that when his Children ask Bread he will not give them a Stone.” ~ John Hancock
- “Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement” ~ John Hancock
