Abigail Adams Quotes
120 Abigail Adams Quotes
1 2 3
The constant roar of the cannon is so distressing that we cannot eat, drink or sleep…
We live in continual expectation of hostilities.
Abigail Adams
It has come to pass that the longest sword must decide the contest…
Abigail Adams
As affliction is the good man’s shining time so does America give proof of her virtue when distressed.
Abigail Adams
Life, liberty and property, is it possible to have a wish or desire which is not interwoven with the present and future prosperity, freedom and independence of United America? It depends upon the people to say that they will remain a free and happy Republic.
Abigail Adams
If ever we saw a day of darkness, I fear this is one which will be visible until kindled into flames.
Abigail Adams
[On the American Revolution] The only alternative which every American thinks of is liberty or death.
Abigail Adams
The friends of liberty, should any such remain will have one option still left, and will rather choose no doubt to die the last British freemen, than bear to live the first of British slaves, and this now seems to be all that is left to Americans.
Abigail Adams
[On the Battle of Bunker Hill] In the midst of sorrow we have abundant cause of thankfulness that so few of our brethren are numbered with the slain, whilst our enemies were cut down like the grass before the sythe.
Abigail Adams
In one country, vice is like a ferocious beast, seeking whom it may devour: in the other like a subtle poison secretly penetrating and working destruction.
Abigail Adams
Let us separate, they are unworthy to be our brethren. Let us renounce them and instead of supplications as formerly for their prosperity and happiness. Let us beseech the almighty to blast their counsels and bring to naught all their devices.
Abigail Adams
Posterity who are to reap the blessings, will scarcely be able to conceive the hardships and sufferings of their ancestors.
Abigail Adams
The history and the events of the present day must fill every human breast with horror. Every week produces some horrid scene perpetrated by our barbarous foes.
Abigail Adams
No person possessed with common humanity can be an inattentive unconcerned spectator of the present contest. The suffering virtue of individuals if recorded upon the faith page of history will astonish future ages, and demands from the present gratitude and veneration.
Abigail Adams
We must sincerely wish for peace upon honorable terms. Heaven is our witness that we rejoice not in the effusion of blood, nor the carnage of the humane species but having forced us to draw the sword we are determined never to sheathe it the slaves of Britain’s.
Abigail Adams
We have lived through dangerous times, and have reason to be thankful that we are still in possession of our liberty and so much of our property.
Abigail Adams
The people of our country have a characteristic trait. Though sometimes misled and deceived, they wish to know what is just and right, and to conduct accordingly. In the 30 years of my life, in which I have attentively observed them, I have always found them return to the right path, as soon as they have had time to weigh, consider and reflect.
Abigail Adams
We have the virtues of patience, forbearance and long suffering if no others.
Abigail Adams
We are a happy land, but a grumbling nation. We quarrel with our own bread and butter, abuse our rulers by words, enjoy freedom even to licentiousness, grow fat, and rich.
Abigail Adams
Americans must learn to become more national and respect themselves.
Abigail Adams
It requires the immortal shield of the invincible Minerva to screen youth from the arrows which assail them upon every side.
Abigail Adams
As soon as a girl sets her foot upon the floor of the operas, she is excommunicated by the Church and denied burial in holy ground.
Abigail Adams
A city is not the best calculated for study.
Abigail Adams
Europe has no charms to attach me to it.
Abigail Adams
[In 1786] The morals of Europe are depraved beyond conception. Love of country and public virtue, mere visions.
Abigail Adams
I shall quit Europe with more pleasure than I came to it, uncontaminated I hope with its manner and vices…
Abigail Adams
I feel that I can return to my little cottage and be happier than here [Europe], and if we have not wealth, we have what is better, integrity.
Abigail Adams
The affairs of Europe are so surrounded with clouds, and enveloped in darkness, that the wisest politician with the most scientific eye cannot penetrate their mazes, nor trace the regular confusion.
Abigail Adams
[On educating a child in Europe] A European life would, you say, be the ruin of our children.
Abigail Adams
If I was agreeably disappointed in London, I am as much disappointed in Paris. It is the very dirtiest place I ever saw… In general the streets are narrow, the shops, the houses inelegant, and dirty, and the streets full of lumber and stone with which they build.
Abigail Adams
[On Paris in 1784] One thing I know, and that is, that I have smelt it.
Abigail Adams
The art of dancing is carried to the highest degree of perfection that it is capable of – at the opera.
Abigail Adams
[On regretting leaving Paris] All things must yield to business.
Abigail Adams
The thought that I might never visit it again [Paris] gave me some pain, for it is as we say a dieing leave when we quit a place…
Abigail Adams
[In London 1785] In Europe all the lower class of women perform the most servile labour, and work as hard outdoors as the men. In France you see them making hay, reaping, sowing, plowing and driving their carts alone.
Abigail Adams
[On France in 1785] Heaven has blessed them with an admirable climate, and a soil productive of every necessary and delicacy that luxury can pant for. But their religion and government mar all heaven’s bounty.
Abigail Adams
The French as a nation do not wish our prosperity more than the English, only as they have sense enough to see that every indulgence stipulated to us, is a thorn in the side of the English.
Abigail Adams
France to be sure was the first to acknowledge our independence, and to aid us with men and money, and ought always to be first ranked amongst our friends.
Abigail Adams
The peasantry are but slaves to the lord, notwithstanding the mighty boasts they make of liberty.
Abigail Adams
The lady with whom I was in company the other day, who hoped there would be a war. ‘Pray’ said I, ‘how can you wish so much misery to mankind?’ ‘O,’ said she, ‘if there is a war, my brother and several of my friends will be promoted.’
Abigail Adams
Led away by false glory, by their passions and vices, they do not reflect upon past calamities nor approaching destruction…
Abigail Adams
1 2 3
Return from Abigail Adams Quotes to
Quoteswise.com