Calamity Quote by John Adams
“My History of the Jesuits is in four volumes… This society has been a greater calamity to mankind than the French Revolution, or Napoleon's despotism or ideology. It has obstructed progress of reformation and the improvement of the human mind in society much longer and more fatally.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Historical Lecture, 1790
He argues the Jesuits caused more harm than major revolutions.
In simple terms: Jesuits were a great calamity.
Key Takeaway
Critically assess institutional influence on society.
Themes
history
religion
politics
influence
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education reform
- policy analysis
- historical research
Key Concepts
institutional power
reformation
ideology
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports this claim?
- How do other perspectives differ?
A Different Perspective
His view may oversimplify complex history.
![“This society [Jesuits] has been a greater calamity to mankind than the French Revolution, or Napoleon 's despotism or ideology. It has obstructed the progress of reformation and the improvement of the human mind in society much longer and more fatally. { Letter to Thomas Jefferson , November 4…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7b5/john-adams-529_calamity_this-society-jesuits-has-been-a-greater_2706641.jpg)
![“I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. They are the most glorious nation…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e34/john-adams-529_affair_i-will-insist-the-hebrews-have-contribut_104004.jpg)
