Quotes by Abigail Adams

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.

— Abigail Adams

Education

Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could.

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

Great necessities call out great virtues.

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

If we mean to have heroes, statesmen and philosophers, we should have learned women.

— Abigail Adams

Education

We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

I've always felt that a person's intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting points of view he can entertain simultaneously on the same topic.

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

A little of what you call frippery is very necessary towards looking like the rest of the world.

— Abigail Adams

Life

I 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.'

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

Wisdom and penetration are the fruit of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure. Great necessities call out great virtues.

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

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.

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

Well, knowledge is a fine thing, and mother Eve thought so; but she smarted so severely for hers, that most of her daughters have been afraid of it since.

— Abigail Adams

Education

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

I begin to think, that a calm is not desirable in any situation in life. Man was made for action and for bustle too, I believe.

— Abigail Adams

Life

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 favorable to 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.

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom

I 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!”

— Abigail Adams

Wisdom