{"id":561,"date":"2015-11-15T01:25:06","date_gmt":"2015-11-15T01:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/repeatright.com\/engine\/?p=561"},"modified":"2018-10-08T20:11:31","modified_gmt":"2018-10-08T20:11:31","slug":"adams-abigail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.repeatright.com\/engine\/adams-abigail\/","title":{"rendered":"ADAMS, Abigail"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453315804311{margin-top: -40px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315829087-ce67c619-0fbc6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cDo not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to husband John Adams (31 March \u2013 5 April 1776) Image of original letter & transcript via Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2015, letter p. 2; online via MA Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1453315829475-7c82a017-1e626a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> [Letter to husband John Adams. Text & spelling as it appears in original letter & cited transcript.]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have time and warning given them to see the Evil and shun it. — I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and\u00a0favourable\u00a0to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could<\/span>. If\u00a0perticuliar\u00a0care and attention is not paid to the\u00a0Laidies\u00a0we are determined to foment a\u00a0Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.\u201d (p. 2)<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>: [Modern American text version. Repeat Right edits.]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have time and warning given them to see the evil and shun it.\u00a0 I long to hear that you have declared an independency – and by the way in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and\u00a0favorable\u00a0to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could.<\/span> If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or representation.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1453315829682-63e8fade-cf4c6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong>:<\/span> Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams (31 March \u2013 5 April 1776) online via Massachusetts Historical Society: https:\/\/www.masshist.org\/digitaladams\/archive\/doc?id=L17760331aa<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531588223-e020d87d-f7dd094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cI most sincerely wish that some more liberal plan might be laid and executed for the benefit of the rising generation, and that our new constitution may be distinguished for Learning and Virtue.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to husband John Adams (14 August 1776) Image of original letter & transcript via Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2015, letter p. 3; online via MA Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1449531588755-96303790-852e094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt <\/em><\/strong>[Letter to husband John Adams \u2013 text as it appears in letter transcript]:<\/p>\n

\u201cI most sincerely wish that some more liberal plan might be laid and executed for the Benefit of the rising Generation, and that our new constitution may be distinguished for Learning and Virtue.<\/span> If we mean to have Heroes, Statesmen and Philosophers, we should have learned women. The world perhaps would laugh at me, and accuse me of vanity, But you I know have a mind too enlarged and liberal to disregard the Sentiment.” (p.3)<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>: [Modern American text version. Repeat Right edits.]:<\/p>\n

\u201cI most sincerely wish that some more liberal plan might be laid and executed for the benefit of the rising generation, and that our new constitution may be distinguished for learning and virtue.<\/span> If we mean to have heroes, statesmen and philosophers, we should have learned women. The world perhaps would laugh at me, and accuse me of vanity, but you I know have a mind too enlarged and liberal to disregard the sentiment.” (p.3)<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1449531589797-29580b31-8c50094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams (14 Aug. 1776) online via Massachusetts Historical Society: https:\/\/www.masshist.org\/digitaladams\/archive\/doc?id=L17760814aasecond<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cIf particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to husband John Adams (31 March \u2013 5 April 1776) Image of original letter & transcript via Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2015, letter p. 2; online via MA Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1453315828385-86abfac4-79bf6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> [Letter to husband John Adams. Text & spelling as it appears in original letter & cited transcript.]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have time and warning given them to see the Evil and shun it. — I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and\u00a0favourable\u00a0to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If\u00a0perticuliar\u00a0care and attention is not paid to the\u00a0Laidies\u00a0we are determined to foment a\u00a0Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.<\/span>\u201d (p. 2)<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>: [Modern American text version. Repeat Right edits.]: \u201cThey have time and warning given them to see the evil and shun it.\u00a0 I long to hear that you have declared an independency – and by the way in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and\u00a0favorable\u00a0to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or representation.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e06a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams (31 March \u2013 5 April 1776) online via Massachusetts Historical Society: https:\/\/www.masshist.org\/digitaladams\/archive\/doc?id=L17760331aa<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531591105-7edf5f39-feaa094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

“Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to son John Quincy Adams (8 May 1780) Transcript via Adams Family Correspondence<\/em>, Vol. 3, The Adams Papers [Digital Editions], Massachusetts Historical Society; online via Massachusetts Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1449531591631-43861bc7-da28094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt <\/em><\/strong>[Letter \u2013 spelling as it appears in transcript]: \u201cIt gives me great pleasure to hear that you and your Brother are setled in a regular way. Roving is not benificial to study at your age, Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with diligence<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>: [Modern American text version]:\u00a0\u201cIt gives me great pleasure to hear that you and your brother are settled in a regular way. Roving is not beneficial to study at your age – Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1449531592891-f39e055b-a66e094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Adams Family Correspondence, Volume 3<\/em> (Letter: 8 May 1780) Massachusetts Historical Society: https:\/\/www.masshist.org\/publications\/apde2\/view?id=ADMS-04-03-02-0240<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cLuxury that baneful poison has unstrung and enfeebled her sons.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to husband John Adams (13 February 1779) Image of\u00a0original letter & transcript via Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2015, letter p. 2; online via MA Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1453315828385-86abfac4-79bf6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> [Letter to husband John Adams \u2013 spelling as it appears in original letter & cited transcript. While the quote sometimes appears with commas in modern media, Adams herself did not use commas in her sentence.]:<\/p>\n

\u201cLuxery that bainfull poison has unstrung and enfeabled her sons.<\/span> The soft penetrating plague has insinuated itself into the freeborn mind, blasting that noble ardor, that impatient Score of base subjection which formerly distinguished your Native Land, and the Benevolent wish of general good is swallowed up by a Narrow selfish Spirit, by a spirit of oppression and extortion.\u201d (p. 2)<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0[Modern American text version]: “Luxury, that baneful poison has unstrung and enfeebled her sons.\u00a0<\/span>The soft penetrating plague has insinuated itself into the freeborn mind, blasting that noble ardor, that impatient score of base subjection which formerly distinguished your native land, and the benevolent wish of general good is swallowed up by a narrow selfish spirit, by a spirit of oppression and extortion.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e06a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams (13 Feb. 1779) Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, MA Historical Society: http:\/\/www.masshist.org\/digitaladams\/archive\/doc?id=L17790213aa<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531591105-7edf5f39-feaa094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cThe habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties\u2026Great necessities call out great virtues.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to son John Quincy Adams (19 January 1780) transcript via Adams Family Correspondence<\/em>, Vol. 3, The Adams Papers [Digital Editions], Massachusetts Historical Society; online via Massachusetts Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1449531591631-43861bc7-da28094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> [Letter to son John Quincy Adams \u2013 spelling as it appears in cited transcript]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are times in which a Genious would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orater, if he had not been roused, kindled and enflamed by the Tyranny of Catiline, Millo, Verres and Mark Anthony. The Habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties.<\/span> All History will convince you of this, and that wisdom and penetration are the fruits of experience, not the Lessons of retirement and leisure.<\/p>\n

Great necessities call out great virtues.<\/span> When a mind is raised, and animated by scenes that engage the Heart, then those qualities which would otherways lay dormant, wake into Life, and form the Character of the Hero and the Statesman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0[Modern American text version]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator, if he had not been roused, kindled and enflamed by the Tyranny of Catiline, Millo, Verres and Mark Anthony?\u00a0 The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties.<\/span> All history will convince you of this, and that wisdom and penetration are the fruits of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure.<\/p>\n

Great necessities call out great virtues.<\/span> 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.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1449531592891-f39e055b-a66e094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams (19 Jan. 1780) Adams Family Correspondence<\/em>, Vol. 3, MA Historical Society: https:\/\/www.masshist.org\/publications\/apde2\/view?id=ADMS-04-03-02-0207#AFC03d209n1<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cThese are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or in the repose of a pacific station that great characters are formed.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to son John Quincy Adams (19 January 1780) Transcript via\u00a0Adams Family Correspondence<\/em>, Vol. 3, The Adams Papers [Digital Editions], Massachusetts Historical Society; online via Massachusetts Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1453315828385-86abfac4-79bf6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt <\/em><\/strong>[Letter to son John Quincy Adams \u2013 spelling as it appears in cited transcript]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are times in which a Genious would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed.<\/span> Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orater, if he had not been roused, kindled and enflamed by the Tyranny of Catiline, Millo, Verres and Mark Anthony. The Habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. All History will convince you of this, and that wisdom and penetration are the fruits of experience, not the Lessons of retirement and leisure.<\/p>\n

Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised, and animated by scenes that engage the Heart, then those qualities which would otherways lay dormant, wake into Life, and form the Character of the Hero and the Statesman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0[Modern American text version]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed.<\/span> Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator, if he had not been roused, kindled and enflamed by the Tyranny of Catiline, Millo, Verres and Mark Anthony?\u00a0 The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. All history will convince you of this, and that wisdom and penetration are the fruits of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure.<\/p>\n

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.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e06a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams (19 Jan. 1780) Adams Family Correspondence<\/em>, Vol. 3, MA Historical Society: https:\/\/www.masshist.org\/publications\/apde2\/view?id=ADMS-04-03-02-0207#AFC03d209n1<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531591105-7edf5f39-feaa094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cWe have too many high sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to husband John Adams (16 October 1774) Image of original letter & transcript via Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, Boston: Massachusetts\u00a0Historical Society, 2015, letter p. 1; online via MA Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1449531591631-43861bc7-da28094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt <\/em><\/strong>[Letter to husband John Adams \u2013 spelling as it appears in original letter & cited transcript.]:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we expect to inherit the blessings of our Fathers, we should return a little more to their primitive Simplicity of Manners, and not sink into inglorious ease. We have too many high sounding words, and too few, actions that correspond with them.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0[Modern American text version]:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we expect to inherit the blessings of our fathers, we should return a little more to their primitive simplicity of manners, and not sink into inglorious ease. We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1449531592891-f39e055b-a66e094f-cf636a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams (16 October 1774) Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, MA Historical Society: https:\/\/www.masshist.org\/digitaladams\/archive\/doc?id=L17741016aa<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cYou tell me of degrees of perfection to which human nature is capable of arriving, and I believe it, but at the same time lament that our admiration should arise from the scarcity of the instances.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Abigail Adams<\/b>, American First Lady<\/p>\n

Letter to husband John Adams (27 November 1775) Image of\u00a0original letter & transcript via Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2015, letter p. 1; online via MA Historical Society, www.masshist.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1453315828385-86abfac4-79bf6a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Extended excerpt\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> [Letter to husband John Adams \u2013 spelling as it appears in original letter & cited transcript.]:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am more and more convinced that Man is a dangerous creature, and that power whether vested in many or a few is ever grasping, and like the grave cries give, give. The great fish swallow up the small, and he who is most strenuous for the Rights of the people, when vested with power, is as eager after the perogatives of Goverment. You tell me of degrees of perfection to which Humane Nature is capable of arriving, and I believe it, but at the same time lament that our admiration should arise from the scarcity of the instances.<\/span>\u201d (p. 1)<\/p>\n

Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0[Modern American text version]:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature, and that power whether vested in many or a few is ever grasping, and like the grave cries give, give. The great fish swallow up the small, and he who is most strenuous for the rights of the people, when vested with power, is as eager after the prerogatives of government. You tell me of degrees of perfection to which human nature is capable of arriving, and I believe it, but at the same time lament that our admiration should arise from the scarcity of the instances<\/span>.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e06a12-6b82″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams (27 November 1775) Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive<\/em>, MA Historical Society: https:\/\/www.masshist.org\/digitaladams\/archive\/doc?id=L17751127aa<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

Resources<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”Wrapper-Author-Resources”]Learn more about Abigail Adams\u00a0<\/span><\/b>| Here are a few good places to find out more –<\/p>\n