“[John Adams] diary, of course, is even more revealing of his feelings. Both his letters to [his wife] Abigail and his diary tell us what he really thinks about people and events.” PeopleThinkingFeelingsCoursesWifeEventsLettersRevealingDiariesAbigail Author:Gordon S. Wood
“I think [John's Adams] descriptions of the personalities of [Benjamin] Franklin and [Tomas] Jefferson and others were pretty accurate. It is only when he felt he was wronged by them that he lets loose his anger and resentment.” ThinkingFeltPersonalityDescriptionResentmentAccurateFranklinWrongedAnger And ResentmentTomas Jefferson Author:Gordon S. Wood
“I think [John] Adams was correct when he said that his May resolutions were "an Epocha, a decisive Event," and tantamount to a declaration of independence.” ThinkingMaySaidEventsIndependenceResolutionDeclarationDeclaration Of Independence 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
“I think [John Adams] developed a much deeper suspicion of France and the other European powers than he had earlier. He lost much if not all of the utopian thinking about international politics and diplomacy expressed in his Model Treaty of 1776 and became much more cynical about the world.” IfsThinkingWorldLostModelsInternationalDeeperFranceCynicalSuspicionDiplomacyTreatiesUtopian Author:Gordon S. Wood
“I think [John Adams's] influence on the federal Constitution was indirect. Many including James Madison mocked the first volume of Adams's Defence of the Constitutions of the United States in 1787. But his Massachusetts constitution was a model for those who thought about stable popular governments, with its separation of powers, its bicameral legislature, its independent judiciary, and its strong executive.” ThinkingFirstsStatesGovernmentStrongUnitedUnited StatesInfluenceModelsConstitutionIndependentIncludingSeparationExecutivesStableVolumeDefenceLegislatureJudiciaryIndirectMassachusettsMadisonConstitution Of The United StatesSeparation Of PowersIndependent Judiciary Author:Gordon S. Wood
