Let Adams Tell it Himself

John Adams was a wonderful writer, and his wife Abigail was just as clever and talented with a pen.  My favorite part of this book so far is the letters between John and Abigail.  Below are some of my favorite quotes from John Adams so far.  

“But we must be cautious and sparing of our praise, lest it become too familiar.”  (On teaching)

“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own approbation.  But upon the stage of life, while conscience claps, let the world hiss!  On the contrary if conscience disapproves, the loudest applauses of the world are of little value.”  (In a letter to Harvard classmate Charles Cushing.)

During the French and Indian war, the colonists began to refer to themselves as Americans.  John Adams saw this as a turning point in history.  As he related in a letter to another classmate in 1755:

“All that part of Creation that lies within our observation is liable to change…England…in power and magnificence, and is now the greatest nation upon the globe.  Soon after the Reformation a few people came over into the new world for conscience sake.  Perhaps this (apparently) trivial incident may transfer the great seat of empire into America.  It looks likely to me…The only way to keep us from setting up ourselves is to disunite us.  Divide et impera.  Keep us in distinct colonies, and then, some great men in each colony, desiring the monarchy of the whole, they will destroy each others’ influence and keep the country in equilibrio.  Be not surprised that I am turned politician.  The whole town is immersed in politics.” 

“Oh! that I could wear out of my mind every mean and base affectation, conquer my natural pride and conceit.” (Diary entry)

“Vanity, I am sensible, is my cardinal vice and cardinal folly.”  (Diary entry)

After marveling at the stars one evening, Adams contemplated God’s love expressed in His Creation.  He then went on in his diary to comment:

“But all the provisions that [God] has [made] for the gratification of our senses…are much inferior to the provision, the wonderful provision that He has made for the gratification of our nobler powers of intelligence and reason.  He has given us reason to find out the truth, and the real design and true end of our existence.”

And this is just the beginning.  He hasn’t even graduated college yet.