Existence Quotes by Henry Adams

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

“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

Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit.

— Henry Adams

The chief wonder of education is that it does not ruin everybody concerned in it, teachers and taught.

— Henry Adams

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

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

No man should be in politics unless he would honestly rather not be there.

— Henry Adams

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

“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

Power when wielded by abnormal energy is the most serious of facts.

— Henry Adams

If I grapple with sin in my own strength, the devil knows he may go to sleep.

— Henry Adams

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

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

History is the most aristocratic of all literary pursuits, because it obliges the historian to be rich as well as educated.

— Henry Adams

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