More on Adams

Just finished McCullough's book John Adams.  Took me long enough (it is 651 pages and I took weeks off at a time)!  I was greatly touched by this biography and I thank McCullough for introducing me to such a great man.  There is too much to include in one post, but I wish to highlight some of my impressions.

• Adams' life of simplicity, hard work, and integrity inspire me to be a better man.  He stayed above party bickering.  This is not to say he didn't have strong opinions about the law and government, and he, admittedly, made mistakes along the way.  Yet it appears that his opinions and passion were not born from being tied to a party line; and he apparently never stooped so low as to participate in 'character assassination plots'.  His refusal to publicly attack others, and repeatedly turn the other cheek whilst being lambasted by jealous slandering from others, speaks to a humility only found in truly great men.
• Abigail.  Oh Abigail!  She was not one whit behind John in intelligence, and perhaps much more insightful with regards to human nature.  Our country is blessed to have had her; for without her, we would not have been blessed with the full power of faculties that comprised John. 
• I drew a few question marks in the margins.  This statement of Adams puzzles me:  "I think instead of opposing systematically any administration, running down their characters and opposing all their measure, right or wrong, we ought to support every administration as far as we can in justice."  I like the sentiment, and our nation would do very well to follow this creed; but the disclaimer "as far as we can in justice" gives us a little leeway for opposition, I think!  I simply cannot see any reason why I want to support the current administration, or the last, or the last, or the last, or the last.  But I still think there is wisdom in Adam's statement, and I believe I an push myself to find out how I can be supportive to an administration about whose actions I find appalling.  
• I absolutely love this statement (it merits a post of its own): "Admire and adore the Author of the telescopic universe, love and esteem the work, do all in our power to lessen ill, and increase good, but never assume to comprehend."  Wow.  More on that later.
• And "The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know. . . Do justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly.  This is enough. . ."
• I feel a bit foolish at coming to a realization of my naiveté.  People in politics back in the day  were no more honest or less conniving than the politicians of the day.  Human nature has not changed.  At first I felt disillusioned.  Yet I realize that, in all times, there are amazing, singular, men and women whose courage and efforts are able to change nations and the world for the better.
• Would I have believed Adams a great man had I read the Jeffersonian papers of his day?  Are there politicians today whose characters are so muddled by the media that we know not of their true nature?  Who are the Adams of today?  
• Adams' best friend was Benjamin Rush.  I'm reading his biography next.  
• If you are ever in a DI browsing the book section and see a book by McCullough: buy it!  I'll pay you what you paid for it plus a dollar for your efforts!

That's all.

:)