1780 Letter Quotes
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Author: John Adams
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy."
I could fill volumes with descriptions of temples and palaces, paintings, sculptures, tapestry, porcelain, etc., etc., etc.—if I could have time. But I could not do this without neglecting my duty. The science of government it is my duty to study, more than all other sciences: the art of legislation and administration and negotiation, ought to take place, indeed to exclude in a manner all other arts. 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.
Context
This line was written by John Adams in a letter to his wife (May 12, 1780).
It's 1780 and John Adams is in Paris, writing a letter to his wife, Abigail. In it, he tells her that there's a lot of great stuff in the famous French city, but he can't waste time writing about it. Hey, he's got work to attend to—namely, negotiating a peace agreement with the British government. We told you he had his hands full.
Where you've heard it
You'll probably hear this line referenced by folks who are looking to make the world a better place…though maybe they're just planning on waging a little war first.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
There's nothing haughty about wanting to leave a better world for your kids, but quoting this letter is a little pretentious.