Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

Henry Adams Historian

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: United States
  • Born: Feb 16, 1838
  • Died: Mar 27, 1918

Henry Brooks Adams was an American historian and member of the Adams political family, being descended from two U.S. Presidents.

As a young Harvard graduate, he was secretary to his father, Charles Francis Adams, Lincoln’s ambassador in London, a posting that had much influence on the younger man, both through experience of wartime diplomacy and absorption in English culture, especially the works of John Stuart Mill. After the American Civil War, he became a noted political journalist who entertained America’s foremost intellectuals at his homes in Washington and Boston.

In his lifetime, he was best known for his History of the United States During the Administration of Thomas Jefferson, a 9-volume work, praised for its literary style, but sometimes criticised for inaccuracy.

His posthumously-published memoirs, The Education of Henry Adams, won the Pulitzer Prize, and went on to be named by The Modern Library as the top English-language nonfiction book of the twentieth century.

I have written too much history to have faith in it and if anyone thinks I'm wrong, I am inclined to agree with him. faith & history

Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds. politics

Friends are born, not made. friendship

All experience is an arch, to build upon. experience

The progress of evolution from President Washington to President Grant was alone evidence to upset Darwin. alone

Everyone carries his own inch rule of taste, and amuses himself by applying it, triumphantly, wherever he travels. travel

Politics... have always been the systematic organization of hatreds. politics

Chaos was the law of nature Order was the dream of man. nature

American society is a sort of flat, fresh-water pond which absorbs silently, without reaction, anything which is thrown into it. society

Politics, as a practise, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds. politics

Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit. history

No man likes to have his intelligence or good faith questioned, especially if he has doubts about it himself. faith & intelligence

Knowledge of human nature is the beginning and end of political education. education & knowledge

He too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers. politics

A teacher affects eternity he can never tell where his influence stops. teacher

Some day science may have the existence of mankind in power, and the human race can commit suicide by blowing up the world. power & science

Accident counts for as much in companionship as in marriage. marriage

There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence. intelligence

It is impossible to underrate human intelligence - beginning with one's own. intelligence

Practical politics consists in ignoring facts. politics

Nothing in education is so astonishing as the amount of ignorance it accumulates in the form of inert facts. education & science

Politics are a very unsatisfactory game. politics

Thanksgiving November 28, 2024

The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. 32 quotes from William Blake

32 quotes from William Blake

Drink and be thankful to the host! What seems insignificant when you have it, is important when you need it. 6 quotes from Franz Grillparzer

6 quotes from Franz Grillparzer

For what I have received may the Lord make me truly thankful. And more truly for what I have not received. 2 other quotes from Storm Jameson

2 other quotes from Storm Jameson

To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do. 73 other thoughts from Victor Hugo

73 other thoughts from Victor Hugo