Join, or Die

In honor of America's recent birthday...and a recent obsession with John Adams, I have put together a short list of some thoughtful quotes that have impacted me and helped me form such a great opinion of him. I recommend reading the book by David McCullough or if not that, watching the HBO Series that is now out on DVD. Both are fairly long investments but very worthwhile at that.

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and
philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."


"The fourth day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
- on Independence Day (I think we've got this one down)



"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."
- on the White House

"There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live. "

"Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide."
- Written in 1814, 12 years before death

"A pen* is certainly an excellent instrument to fix a man's attention and to inflame his ambition."
- *insert "blog"