Quotes From "John Adams" By David McCullough

The more Adams thought about the future of his country, the more convinced he became that it rested on education. Before any great things are accomplished, he wrote to a correspondent, a memorable change must be made in the system of education and knowledge must become so general as to raise the lower ranks of society nearer to the higher. The education of a nation instead of being confined to a few schools and universities for the instruction of the few, must become the national care and expense for the formation of the many. David McCullough

When a friend of Abigail and John Adams was killed at Bunker Hill, Abigail's response was to write a letter to her husband and include these words, "My bursting heart must find vent at my pen. David McCullough

You've got to marinate your head, in that time and culture. You've got to become them."( Speaking about researching, and reading, and immersing yourself in History) David McCullough

The source of our suffering has been our timidity. We have been afraid to think.... Let us dare to read, think, speak, write. David McCullough

Government is nothing more than the combined force of society or the united power of the multitude for the peace, order, safety, good, and happiness of the people.. There is no king or queen bee distinguished from all the others by size or figure or beauty and variety of colors in the human hive. No man has yet produced any revelation from heaven in his favor, any divine communication to govern his fellow men. Nature throws us all into the world equal and alike.. The preservation of liberty depends upon the intellectual and moral character of the people. As long as knowledge and virtue are diffused generally among the body of a nation it is impossible they should be enslaved. Ambition is one of the more ungovernable passions of the human heart. The love of power is insatiable and uncontrollable.. There is a danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living wth power to endanger public liberty. . David McCullough

The author perceives nuances of Abigail Adams' character in the occasional errors she makes in readily quoting John Milton. Rather than giving the observer a reason to quibble, they are evidence that she had absorbed Milton's works enough to feel comfortable quoting them from memory. David McCullough

Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives. - John Adams David McCullough

The reason is, because it’s of more importance to community, that innocence should be protected, than it is, that guilt should be punished. David McCullough

The author perceptively outlines what might be an underrated aspect of his subject and of many others whose public achievements are of note — a "gift for friendship". McCullough says Adams, despite his towering intellect and curmudgeonly demeanor, had a soft heart for other people and a genuine interest in their particulars. David McCullough