An Adams for a Parent

The first two quotes are from Abigail Adams to her son, John Quincy Adams, who later became the sixth President of the United States. They were written to him at two separate times in his life: first, when he was about ten years old and preparing to cross the Atlantic on a diplomatic mission with his father; second, after he had returned from that first trip and an additional one where he served as personal secretary to the U.S. Ambassador to Russia.

"These are the times in which 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. 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."

"If you are conscious to yourself that you possess more knowledge upon some subjects than others of your standing, reflect that you have had greater opportunities of seeing the world and obtaining knowledge of mankind than any of your contemporaries. That you have never wanted a book, but it has been supplied to you. That your whole time has been spent in the company of men of literature and science. How unpardonable would it have been in you to have turned out a blockhead."

This quote comes from John Adams (later second President of the United States) to his daughter, Nabby.


"Daughter! Get you an honest man for a husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard the honor and moral character of the man more than all other circumstances. Think of no other greatness but that of the soul, no other riches but those of the heart. An honest, sensible, humane man, above all the littleness of vanity and extravagances of imagination, laboring to do good rather than be rich, to be useful rather than make a show, living in modest simplicity clearly within his means and free from debts and obligations, is really the most respectable man in society, makes himself and all about him most happy."

Excellent advice, and well put.

An American Tune

I'm always grateful for the Sabbath. After the first couple of hectic, wake-up-and-get-everyone-ready hours, I slow down and enjoy the one day during the week where we've actually been commanded to rest and think on spiritual things. Today was like that. Church was great (wonderful lesson Megan!), it's always good to see my church family, who I really do love, and the weather was quintessentially autumnal. The drive home was divine. I laid down while everyone else was napping and read for a little while, then made an apple pie. And while I did that, I listened to one of the finest songs I think I've ever heard.

American Tune

Many's the time I've been mistaken,
and many times confused
And I've often felt forsaken,
and certainly misused.
But it's all right, it's all right,
I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be
bright and bon vivant
So far away from home,
so far away from home.


I don't know a soul who's not been battered
Don't have a friend who feels at ease
Don't know a dream that's not been shattered
Or driven to its knees.
But it's all right, all right,
We've lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the road we're traveling on,
I wonder what went wrong,
I can't help it
I wonder what went wrong.

And I dreamed I was flying.
I dreamed my soul rose unexpectedly,
and looking back down on me,
smiled reassuringly,
and I dreamed I was dying.
And far above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty,
drifting away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying.

We come on a ship we call the Mayflower,
We come on a ship that sailed the moon
We come at the age's most uncertain hour
And sing the American tune
But it's all right, it's all right
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's gonna be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest,
That's all, I'm trying to get some rest.


Here's the iTunes link to my favorite version from "The Concert in Central Park" (one of the few experiences I'd time travel for.)

Click here