Malevolence, my dear child, is its own punishment, even in this world. Indifference to the happiness of others must arise from insensibility of heart, or from a selfishness still more contemptible, or rather detestable. But for the same reason that our own individual happiness should not be our only object, that of our relatives, however near or remote, should not; but we should extend our views to as large a circle as our circumstances of birth, fortune, education, rank, and influence extend, inn order to do as much good to our fellow men as we can.
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams II, September 26, 1782
The Dutch say that without an habit of thinking of every doit, before you spend it, no Man can be a good Merchant, or conduct Trade with Success. This I believe is a just Maxim in general. But I would never wish to see a Son of Mine govern himself by it. It is the sure and certain Way for an industrious Man to be rich. It is the only possible Way for a Merchant to become the first Merchant, or the richest Man in the Place. But this is an Object that I hope none of my Children ever aim at.
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, December 18, 1780
The Church of Rome has made it an Article of Faith that no man can be saved out of their Church, and all other religious Sects approach to this dreadfull opinion in proportion to their Ignorance, and the Influence of ignorant or wicked Priests.
John Adams, from his diary, February 16, 1756
Equality of Representation in the Legislature, is a first Principle of Liberty, and the Moment, the least departure from such Equality takes Place, that Moment an Inroad is made upon Liberty.
John Adams, letter to Joseph Hawley, August 25, 1776
I fear there is an infinity of Corruption in our Elections already crept in. All Kinds of Favour, Intrigue and Partiality in Elections are as real, Corruption in my Mind, as Treats and Bribes. A popular Government is the worse Curse, to which human Nature can be devoted when it is thoroughly corrupted.
John Adams, letter to Joseph Hawley, August 25, 1776
But my present sentiments are that some of those practitioners adorn and others disgrace, both the law that they profess and the country they inhabit. The students in the law are very numerous and some of them, youths of which no country, no age, would need to be ashamed - and if I can gain the honor of treading in the rear and silently admiring the noble air and gallant achievements of the foremost rank, I shall think myself worthy of a louder triumph, than if I had headed the whole army of orthodox preachers.
John Adams, letter to Charles Cushing, October 19, 1756
I must not write a Word to you about Politicks, because you are a Woman.
What an offence have I committed? - a Woman!
I shall soon make it up. I think Women better than Men in General, and I know that you can keep a Secret as well as any Man whatever. But the World dont know this.
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, February 13, 1779
We mortals feel very big sometimes, and think ourselves acting a grand Roll, when in truth it is the irresistible Course of Events that hurries Us on, and We have in fact very little Influence in them. The utmost that is permitted to Us is to assist, and it is our Duty to be very cautious that what we do is directed to a right End. When We are sure of this, We are sure We are right, and need not fear that things will go wrong.
John Adams, letter to Edmund Jenings, June 11, 1780
It is now become a Maxim with some, who are even Men of merit, that the World esteems a Man in Proportion as he esteems himself, and are generally disposed to allow him, to be what he pretends to be.
John Adams, letter to James Warren, December 2, 1778
I am for the most liberal Toleration of all Denominations of Religionists, but I hope that Congress will never meddle with Religion, further than to say their own Prayers, and to fast and give Thanks, once a year.
John Adams, letter to Benjamin Kent, June 22, 1776
And even then, he doesn’t advocate making the rest of the country do it with them.
