“If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?”

— Abigail Adams, Letter to John Thaxter, 29 September 1778

About Abigail Adams

1744 – 1818

American First Lady and prolific letter writer, wife of John Adams.

“How few have souls capable of so noble an undertaking!”

“I wish most sincerely there was not a slave in this province.”

“Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”