No man, however strong, can serve ten years as schoolmaster, priest, or Senator, and remain fit for anything else. No man, however strong, can serve ten years as schoolmaster, priest, or Senator, and remain fit for anything else. Henry B. Adams
The difference is slight, to the influence of an author, whether he is read by five hundred readers, or by five hundred thousand; if he can select the five hundred, he reaches the five hundred thousand. The difference is slight, to the influence of an author, whether he is read by five hundred readers, or by five hundred thousand; if he can select the five hundred, he reaches the five hundred thousand. Henry B. Adams
Susceptibility to the highest forces is the highest genius. Susceptibility to the highest forces is the highest genius. Henry B. Adams
American society is a sort of flat, fresh-water pond which absorbs silently, without reaction, anything which is thrown into it. American society is a sort of flat, fresh-water pond which absorbs silently, without reaction, anything which is thrown into it. Henry B. Adams
Knowledge of human nature is the beginning and end of political education. Knowledge of human nature is the beginning and end of political education. Henry B. Adams
A friend in power is a friend lost. A friend in power is a friend lost. Henry B. Adams
One friend in a lifetime is much, two are many, three are hardly possible. Friendship needs a certain parallelism of life, a community of thought, a rivalry of aim. One friend in a lifetime is much, two are many, three are hardly possible. Friendship needs a certain parallelism of life, a community of thought, a rivalry of aim. Henry B. Adams
The effect of power and publicity on all men is the aggravation of self, a sort of tumor that ends by killing the victim's sympathies. The effect of power and publicity on all men is the aggravation of self, a sort of tumor that ends by killing the victim's sympathies. Henry B. Adams
We combat obstacles in order to get repose, and when got, the repose is insupportable. We combat obstacles in order to get repose, and when got, the repose is insupportable. Henry B. Adams
Practical politics consists in ignoring facts. Practical politics consists in ignoring facts. Henry B. Adams
Only on the edge of the grave can man conclude anything. Only on the edge of the grave can man conclude anything. Henry B. Adams
There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence. There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence. Henry B. Adams
No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous. No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous. Henry B. Adams
Power when wielded by abnormal energy is the most serious of facts. Power when wielded by abnormal energy is the most serious of facts. Henry B. Adams
Absolute liberty is absence of restraint; responsibility is restraint; therefore, the ideally free individual is responsible to himself. Absolute liberty is absence of restraint; responsibility is restraint; therefore, the ideally free individual is responsible to himself. Henry B. Adams
Everyone carries his own inch rule of taste, and amuses himself by applying it, triumphantly, wherever he travels. Everyone carries his own inch rule of taste, and amuses himself by applying it, triumphantly, wherever he travels. Henry B. Adams
Intimates are predestined. Intimates are predestined. Henry B. Adams
Chaos was the law of nature; Order was the dream of man. Chaos was the law of nature; Order was the dream of man. Henry B. Adams
Friends are born, not made. Friends are born, not made. Henry B. Adams
The progress of evolution from President Washington to President Grant was alone evidence to upset Darwin. The progress of evolution from President Washington to President Grant was alone evidence to upset Darwin. Henry B. Adams
Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man. Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man. Henry B. Adams
He too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers. He too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers. Henry B. Adams
It is always good men who do the most harm in the world. It is always good men who do the most harm in the world. Henry B. Adams
It is impossible to underrate human intelligence - beginning with one's own. It is impossible to underrate human intelligence - beginning with one's own. Henry B. Adams
Young men have a passion for regarding their elders as senile. Young men have a passion for regarding their elders as senile. Henry B. Adams
The proper study of mankind is woman. The proper study of mankind is woman. Henry B. Adams
The press is the hired agent of a monied system, and set up for no other purpose than to tell lies where their interests are involved. One can trust nobody and nothing. The press is the hired agent of a monied system, and set up for no other purpose than to tell lies where their interests are involved. One can trust nobody and nothing. Henry B. Adams
Power is poison. Its effect on Presidents had always been tragic. Power is poison. Its effect on Presidents had always been tragic. Henry B. Adams
Morality is a private and costly luxury. Morality is a private and costly luxury. Henry B. Adams
Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds. Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds. Henry B. Adams
