“When (an advocate) is not thoroughly acquainted with the real strength and weakness of his cause, he knows not where to choose the most impressive argument. When the mark is shrouded in obscurity, the only substitute for accuracy in the aim is in the multitude of the shafts.”

“When John Quincy Adams in the Netherlands was placed with elementary students and belittled because he did not speak Dutch, either the author or John Adams accuses school authorities of "littleness of soul".”

“Adams was in a hurry and ordered his horse drawn carriage to wait for him in front of his house. The horses were spooked before he got in the carriage, and the carriage was destroyed in an accident. Pondering what could have happened to him , Adams retreated to Psalm 20's injunctions against trusting in chariots and horses.”

“Ambition distorts even memory itself. John Quincy Adams”

“John Quincy Adams strove to escape commonplace thoughts.”

“The world shall retire from me before I shall retire from the world. John Quincy Adams”

“It is the doom of the Christian church to be always distracted with controversy. John Quincy Adams”

“Most ardent reformers are accompanied by but equal portion of dullness . John Quincy Adams”

“I carry too much of the week into the Sabbath , and too little of the Sabbath into the week. John Quincy Adams”

“Our religion was the religion of a Book. Man must be educated on Earth for Heaven. John Quincy Adams”

“The aging Adams delightedly describes being surrounded by books on so many different subjects that interested him as "baits on fishhooks".”