“[Benjamin] Franklin may be a great philosopher, [John Adams] told his diary in 1779, but "as a Legislator in America he has done very little."” MayLittlesDoneAmericaPhilosopherDiariesFranklinLegislatorsGreat Philosophers Author:Gordon S. Wood
“As early as 1776, [John Adams] expressed his doubts about America's capacity for virtue. "I have seen all along my Life, Such Selfishness, and Littleness even in New England, that I sometimes tremble to think that, altho We are engaged in the best Cause that ever employed the Human Heart, yet the Prospect of success is doubtfull not for Want of Power or of Wisdom, but of Virtue."” ThinkingWantHumansHeartSometimesAmericaCausesVirtueDoubtCapacityEnglandSelfishnessEngagedHuman HeartEmployedNew England Author:Gordon S. Wood
“[John] Adams's perception of Europe, and especially France, was clearly different than [Tomas] Jefferson's. For Jefferson, the luxury and sophistication of Europe only made American simplicity and virtue appear dearer. For Adams, by contrast, Europe represented what America was fast becoming - a society consumed by luxury and vice and fundamentally riven by a struggle between rich and poor, gentlemen and commoners.” MadeDifferentAmericaPoorStruggleVirtueRichBecomingPerceptionEuropeSimplicityVicesLuxuryFranceGentlemanContrastConsumedRich And PoorSophisticationCommonersTomas Jefferson Author:Gordon S. Wood
“Deeply versed in history, [John Adams] said over and over that America had no special providence, no special role in history, that Americans were no different from other peoples, that the United States was just as susceptible to viciousness and corruption as any other nation. In this regard, at least, Jefferson's vision has clearly won the day.” SaidDifferentStatesAmericaNationsUnitedVisionRolesUnited StatesSpecialRegardCorruptionProvidenceSusceptible Author:Gordon S. Wood
