The author points out that the moral failure of Abigail Adams' brother focused her on disciplining her children, and herself, so that they did not come to the same end.

No sermon I have heard or read touched my heart with half the force of this puppet show. John Quincy Adams

Shakespeare's work had a liberating influence.

John Quincy Adams strove to escape commonplace thoughts.

Rather than pound or a national mind that he believed had been closed by his critics, John Quincy Adams decided to seek a place in the is the esteem of future generations.

The two grappled in the quiet of old-fashioned personal diplomacy.

John Quincy Adams' depression was treated by his aunt with some reliable remedies, first sleep and then compassion. She said, " He was half cared for by having someone to care for him.

The president notices that when he takes off his coat to dig, people take more notice of the visual than they did his preceding remarks.

He must become an apprentice to ordinary life.

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

Passion without knowledge and the desire to learn is foolishness

This is the highest wisdom that I own freedom and life are earned by those alone who conquer them each day anew.

We'll always be safe in Jesus Christ if we place our faith in the Lord.

Yeah, I like to have fun - I think that's a good way to live. I think you're better at your job if you like it.

I am really attracted to films. It's nice to do something new, all the time. That's why I like being an actor.

If I did not publish this autobiography [Les Mots] sooner and in its most radical form, it is because I considered it exaggerated.

Being an England supporter is like being the over-optimistic parents of the fat kid on sports day.

[John Kerry] actually stole my line because when I became Secretary of State, I said, 'I hope my heels will fill Warren Christopher's shoes.' So he reversed that.

Truth is never far behind.

We have found that morals are not, like bacon, to be cured by hanging; nor, like wine, to be improved by sea voyages; nor, like honey, to be preserved in cells.