"Well, knowledge is a fine thing, and mother Eve thought so; but she smarted so severely for hers, that most of her daughters have been afraid of it since."

Family

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Family as articulated by Abigail Adams. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Family provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams was the wife and closest advisor of John Adams, the second president of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States. She is widely considered to be an influential figure in the founding of the United States, and was both the first second lady and second first lady of the United States, although such titles were not used at the time. She and Barbara Bush are the only two women in American history who were both the wife of a U.S. president and the mother of another U.S. president.

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More by Abigail Adams

"I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature; and that power, whether vested in many or a few, is ever grasping, and like the grave, cries “Give, give!”"

— Abigail Adams
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"I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature and that power, whether vested in many or a few, is ever grasping, and like the grave, cries, 'Give, give.'"

— Abigail Adams
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"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence."

— Abigail Adams
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"If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?"

— Abigail Adams
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More about Family

"My family is my strength and my weakness."

— Aishwarya Rai
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"My mom doesn't post on Facebook, but she'll tell anyone within about the first five minutes of meeting them about my sister and I, in whatever way she can."

— Maria Bamford
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"The English was really my mother, it was never me. Being the daughter of my father, I always felt very French."

— Charlotte Gainsbourg
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"My father made sure I was treated equally with my brothers."

— Joyce Banda
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