Diary of John Adams, volume 1

23 26 [i.e. 27] Tuesday. JA 26 [i.e. 27] Tuesday. Adams, John

26 i.e. 27 Tuesday.

We had a few soft, vernal Showers to Day.

27 [i.e. 28] Wednesday. JA 27 [i.e. 28] Wednesday. Adams, John

27 i.e. 28 Wednesday.

A cool but pleasant morning. Dined at Mr. Paines. Drank Tea at Mr. Putnams. Walked with him to his Farm. Talked about all Nature.

28 [i.e. 29] Thurdsday. JA 28 [i.e. 29] Thurdsday. Adams, John

28 i.e. 29 Thurdsday.

Fast day. Heard Mr. Maccarty. Spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams. Our proper Business in this Life is, not to accumulate large Fortunes, not to gain high Honours and important offices in the State, not to waste our Health and Spirits in Pursuit of the Sciences, but constantly to improve our selves in Habits of Piety and Virtue. Consequently, the meanest Mechanick, who endeavours in proportion to his Ability, to promote the happiness of his fellow men, deserves better of Society, and should be held in higher Esteem than the Greatest Magistrate, who uses his power for his own Pleasures or Avarice or Ambition.

29 [i.e. 30] Fryday. JA 29 [i.e. 30] Fryday. Adams, John

29 i.e. 30 Fryday.

A hazy, dull Day. Reading Milton. That mans Soul, it seems to me, was distended as wide as Creation. His Powr over the human mind was absolute and unlimited. His Genius was great beyond Conception, and his Learning without Bounds. I can only gaze at him with astonishment, without comprehending the vast Compass of his Capacity.