David McCullough
0743223136
Notes
The New England farmer was his own man who owned his own land, a freeholder, and thus the equal of anyone.
He knew the sudden, uncontrollable rush of his own anger, almost to the point of bursting. He must observe more closely the effects of reason and rage, just as he must never again undertake a case without command of the details…(After losing his role as ambassador to France to Franklin) In truth, he was hurt and angry, and justifiably. He had been badly served by a Congress that told him nothing and showed no gratitude for all he had done. He felt himself strangely adrift, less able than ever in his life to sense what lay in store for him. In a letter to James Warren, he vowed never again to allow himself to be made the sport of wise men or fools.
They must never speak unkindly of anyone, Abigail remembered her father saying repeatedly. They must say only “handsome things,” and make topics rather than persons their subjects – sensible policy for a parson’s family. But Abigail had views on nearly everything and persons no less than topics. Nor was she ever to be particularly hesitant about expressing what she thought.
At one point, Franklin leaned over to tell (Jefferson) that, as a printer and publisher over so many year, he must have offered before as comfort to a wounded author. He had once known a hatter who wished to have a sign made saying, JOHN THOMPSON, HATTER, MAKES AND SELLS HATS FOR READY MONEY, this to be accompanied by a picture of a hat. But the man had chosen first to ask the opinion of friends, with the result that one word after another was removed as superfluous or redundant, until at last the sign was reduced to Thompsons’ name and the picture of the hat.
“There are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the response of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised, and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman.”
Abigail Adams to her son, John Quincy Adams
To get his bearings he was out and about, walking the canals, studying the buildings, circumventing the entire city by foot, meeting people, glad to return to useful work. Through all his life Adams would be happiest when there was a clear purpose to his days.
“Everything in life should be done with reflection”
John Adams to John Quincy Adams
“He means well for our country, is always an honest man, often a wise one, but sometimes and in some things, absolutely out of his senses.”
Benjamin Franklin on John Adams
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is a natural manure”
Thomas Jefferson to Colonel Smith
“Reason holds the helm, but passions are the gales.”
John Adams
He died on the same day as Jefferson, July 4, 1826, on the 50 year anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence.