George Washington
“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
Attributed in multiple 19th-century collections; often cited by early biographers.
“The Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.”
From a handwritten inscription in a Bible Washington donated.
John Adams
“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.”
Letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 28, 1813
“Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book…”
Diary, Feb. 22, 1756
(Adams argued that such a nation would produce admirable citizens.)
“The Bible contains the most profound philosophy, the most perfect morality, and the most refined policy.”
Diary and Autobiography
Samuel Adams
“The Holy Scriptures are to be the sure guide to all our actions.”
Speech, 1772
“I rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.”
Last Will and Testament
Thomas Jefferson
(Jefferson is often misunderstood—he rejected miracles but deeply valued biblical ethics.)
“The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty.”
Letter to Charles Thomson, 1809
“I am a real Christian—that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.”
Letter to Benjamin Rush, 1803
“No nation has ever existed or been governed without religion.”
Letter to Alexander von Humboldt, 1811
James Madison
“We have staked the whole future of American civilization… upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments.”
Often quoted; summarized from Madison’s writings and ideas—sometimes overstated in popular form.
“Religion and government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed together.”
Letter to Edward Livingston, 1822
(Madison believed separation protected religion, not removed it.)
Benjamin Franklin
“I believe the Bible to be the best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.”
Letter to Ezra Stiles, 1790
“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”
(Franklin saw biblical morality as essential to liberty.)
Patrick Henry
“The Bible is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.”
Attributed in early biographies
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded… not by religionists, but by Christians.”
Speech, 1814
John Jay (First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court)
“The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God.”
Letter to his son, 1784
“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty… of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
Letter to Rev. Jedidiah Morse, 1797
The Founders:
They separated church and state to protect the church, not to remove the Bible from public life.
- Abraham Lincoln: I believe the bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.
- George Washington: It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.
- Daniel Webster: If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the scriptures. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.
- John Quincy Adams: So great is my veneration for the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society. I have for many years made it a practice to read through the Bible once every years.
- John Adams– 2nd President of the United States “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were… the general principles of Christianity.” — Letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 28, 1813 “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — Address to the Massachusetts Militia, 1798
- Andrew Jackson : That Book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests.
- Sir Isaac Newton: There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history.
- James Jennings: If a man’s Bible is coming apart, it is an indication that he himself is fairly well put together.
- Thomas Jefferson – 3rd President of the United States, Author of the Declaration of Independence “The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.” — Letter to Van der Kemp, 1816 “I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.” — Letter to Benjamin Rush, April 21, 1803
- Benjamin Franklin– Founding Father, Diplomat, Inventor “As to Jesus of Nazareth, I think the system of morals and His religion… the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.” — Letter to Ezra Stiles, March 9, 1790 “God governs in the affairs of men… and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” — Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787
- James Madison – 4th President of the U.S., Father of the Constitution “We have staked the whole future of American civilization… upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” (Attributed, though debated, it reflects his broader writings on religion and morality.) “Religion is the basis and foundation of government.” — Letter to William Bradford, 1773
- Patrick Henry– Founding Father, Famous for “Give me liberty, or give me death!” “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians… on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” — Attributed from writings and speeches
- Noah Webster– Founding Educator, Creator of Webster’s Dictionary “The moral principles and precepts found in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.” — Preface to Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828 “Education is useless without the Bible.” — Advice to the Young, 1832
- Samuel Adams– Signer of the Declaration, Governor of Massachusetts “Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age by… inculcating the great and moral truths which are supported by the Christian religion.” — Speech at the State House, 1790
- Daniel Webster– Senator, Statesman, Lawyer “If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering… but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions… no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us.” — Speech, 1821
In Summary: Even with their differences in denominational belief or personal theology, the Founding Fathers overwhelmingly believed that: Faith in God and Biblical values were essential for individual and national integrity. Christian moral teachings were necessary to sustain a free and virtuous republic. The Bible was seen not just as a religious book, but as a moral foundation for civil society.