Average human nature is very coarse, and its ideals must necessarily be average. The world never loved perfect poise. What the world does love is commonly absence of poise, for it has to be amused. — Henry Adams Copy Share Image
The photograph is a coarse fraud, and seems to delight only in taking the whole beauty out of the picture. — Henry Adams Copy Share Image
I am fairly tired--bored beyond endurance--by the world we live in, and its ideals, and am ready to say so, not violently, but kindly,… — Henry Adams Copy Share
“One had heard and read a great deal about death, and even seen a little of it, and knew by heart the thousand commonplaces… — Henry Adams Copy Share
The chief wonder of education is that it does not ruin everybody concerned in it, teachers and taught. — Henry Adams Copy Share
The American President resembles the commander of a ship at sea. He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port… — Henry Adams Copy Share
The proof that a philosopher does not know what he is talking about is apt to sadden his followers before it reacts on himself. — Henry Adams Copy Share
In the history of the United States, there is no continuity at all. You can cut through it anywhere and nothing on this side… — Henry Adams Copy Share
“Washington was no politician as we understand the word," replied Ratcliffe abruptly. "He stood outside of politics. The thing couldn't be done today. The… — Henry Adams Copy Share
If I grapple with sin in my own strength, the devil knows he may go to sleep. — Henry Adams Copy Share
All State education is a sort of dynamo machine for polarizing the popular mind; for turning and holding its lines of force in the… — Henry Adams Copy Share
You may cut off the heads of every rich man now living--of every statesman--every literary, and every scientific authority, without in the least changing… — Henry Adams Copy Share
History is the most aristocratic of all literary pursuits, because it obliges the historian to be rich as well as educated. — Henry Adams Copy Share
The philosopher says--I am, and the church scouts his philosophy. She answers:--No! you are NOT, you have no existence of your own. You were… — Henry Adams Copy Share
