--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This society [Jesuits] has been a greater…" description: "\"“This society [Jesuits] has been a greater calamity to mankind than the French Revolution, or Napoleon 's despotism or ideology. It has obstructed the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b5/john-adams-529_calamity_this-society-jesuits-has-been-a-greater_2706641.jpg" --- # This society \[Jesuits\] has been a greater calamity to… ![“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/i/7b5/john-adams-529_calamity_this-society-jesuits-has-been-a-greater_2706641.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b5/john-adams-529_calamity_this-society-jesuits-has-been-a-greater_2706641.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b5/john-adams-529_calamity_this-society-jesuits-has-been-a-greater_2706641.jpg) > ““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, 1816. Adams wrote an anonymous 4 volume work on the destructive history of the Jesuits }”” [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critiques the Jesuits as a harmful influence on society, claiming they hinder progress more than major historical upheavals. **In simple terms:** Jesuits are seen as a major obstacle to societal improvement. Key Takeaway Question institutional influence. Themes politics religion history Mood skeptical critical Type historical analytical When to use this quote - political discourse - academic study - public policy Key Concepts cultural hegemony power dynamics ideology Questions to Reflect On - How do we assess religious orders’ impact? - What evidence supports this claim? A Different Perspective May overlook positive contributions of the order. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calamity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calamity/) [Despotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despotism/) [French revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/french-revolution/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Human mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-mind/) [Napoleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/napoleon/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) ## Related quotes > [My history of the Jesuits is not elegantly written, but is supported by unquestionable authorities, is very particular and very horrible. Their restoration is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/my-history-of-the-jesuits-is-not-elegantly-written-but-is-supported/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/my-history-of-the-jesuits-is-in-four-volumes-this-society-has-been-a/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“When writing the constitution for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, John Adams wrote: I must judge for myself, but how can I judge, how can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/when-writing-the-constitution-for-the-commonwealth-of-massachusetts/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“I pray heaven,” Adams wrote, “to bestow the best of blessings on this house, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/i-pray-heaven-adams-wrote-to-bestow-the-best-of-blessings-on-this/) [David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/) > [Alice Adams wrote a sweet note to me after my first novel came out when I was 26, and I was so blown away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/alice-adams-wrote-a-sweet-note-to-me-after-my-first-novel-came-out/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [ Americans, \[John Adams\] wrote in 1780, believed that their "revolution is as much for the benefit of the generality of Mankind in Europe, as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-s-wood/americans-john-adams-wrote-in-1780-believed-that-their-revolution-is/) [Gordon S. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-s-wood/) > [I do not like the reappearance of the Jesuits… Shall we not have regular swarms of them here, in as many disguises as only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-do-not-like-the-reappearance-of-the-jesuits-shall-we-not-have/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I do not like the late resurrection of the Jesuits. . . . If ever any congregation of men could merit eternal perdition on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-do-not-like-the-late-resurrection-of-the-jesuits-if-ever-any/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I do not like the reappearance of the Jesuits... Nevertheless, we are compelled by our system of religious toleration to offer them an asylum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-do-not-like-the-reappearance-of-the-jesuits-nevertheless-we-are/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Victor Hugo continues to be popular today not because of his multivolume works, which people may never have time or patience to read, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/victor-hugo-continues-to-be-popular-today-not-because-of-his/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“A little while ago, I stood by the grave of the old Napoleon —a magnificent tomb of gilt and gold, fit almost for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/a-little-while-ago-i-stood-by-the-grave-of-the-old-napoleon-a/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [“ Napoleon , when hearing about Laplace 's latest book, said, ' M. Laplace , they tell me you have written this large book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-simon-laplace/napoleon-when-hearing-about-laplace-s-latest-book-said-m-laplace-they/) [Pierre-Simon Laplace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-simon-laplace/) > [“When Bonaparte returned from Italy he called on Mr. Paine and invited him to dinner: in the course of his rapturous address to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-clio-rickman/when-bonaparte-returned-from-italy-he-called-on-mr-paine-and-invited/) Thomas Clio Rickman > [“Be happy; be it as much as you deserve it; it is my entire heart that speaks to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-de-beauharnais/be-happy-be-it-as-much-as-you-deserve-it-it-is-my-entire-heart-that/) [Josephine de Beauharnais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-de-beauharnais/) > [I'm very interested in the history of Christianity, and what I can say for sure is that the Catholics and the Jesuits and stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mendelsohn/i-m-very-interested-in-the-history-of-christianity-and-what-i-can-say/) [Ben Mendelsohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-mendelsohn/) ## More by John Adams > [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/daughter-get-you-an-honest-man-for-a-husband-and-keep-him-honest-no/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-general-principles-on-which-the-fathers-achieved-independence/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-may-affirm-that-the-balance-of-power-in-a-society-accompanies-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-longer-i-live-the-more-i-read-the-more-patiently-i-think-and-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/upon-common-theaters-indeed-the-applause-of-the-audience-is-of-more/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/there-are-only-two-creatures-of-value-on-the-face-of-the-earth-those/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [ I will insist the Hebrews have \[contributed\] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-will-insist-the-hebrews-have-contributed-more-to-civilize-men-than/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit, honor, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/government-is-instituted-for-the-common-good-for-the-protection/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Make Things rather than Persons the subjects of conversations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/make-things-rather-than-persons-the-subjects-of-conversations/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/during-the-whole-time-i-sat-with-him-in-congress-i-never-heard-him/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/religion-and-virtue-are-the-only-foundations-not-of-republicanism-and/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-universal-object-and-idol-of-men-of-letters-is-reputation/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-consider-a-decent-respect-for-christianity-among-the-best/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) [Explore all 495 John Adams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## More Calamity quotes > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [Forgetting your Self is the greatest injury; all the calamities flow from it. Take care of the most important, the lesser will take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/forgetting-your-self-is-the-greatest-injury-all-the-calamities-flow/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [In spite of calamity, He still has a plan for me, And it’s working for my good, And it’s building my testimony...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-sapp/in-spite-of-calamity-he-still-has-a-plan-for-me-and-it-s-working-for/) [Marvin Sapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-sapp/) > [Calamity, war, famine, plague, death, adversity, disease, injury do not necessarily produce repentance. We may become better in a calamity but it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/calamity-war-famine-plague-death-adversity-disease-injury-do-not/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I doubt if I have made the best use of all my calamities. Soft, amiable natures they would have refined to saintliness; of strong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-doubt-if-i-have-made-the-best-use-of-all-my-calamities-soft-amiable/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Drudgery, calamity, exasperation, want, are instructors in eloquence and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/drudgery-calamity-exasperation-want-are-instructors-in-eloquence-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [It is the common calamity of old age to lose whatever might have rendered it desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-is-the-common-calamity-of-old-age-to-lose-whatever-might-have/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The liberty of the press is a blessing when we are inclined to write against others, and a calamity when we find ourselves overborne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-liberty-of-the-press-is-a-blessing-when-we-are-inclined-to-write/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [There is a big lesson in experiencing uncertainty and calamity with a sober focus - the most chaotic moments are the ones from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-stiles/there-is-a-big-lesson-in-experiencing-uncertainty-and-calamity-with-a/) [Tara Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-stiles/) > [The worst calamity: 'To have eyes and fail to see.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-worst-calamity-to-have-eyes-and-fail-to-see/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Such exceptional suffering and calamity, then, affecting the hero, and-we must now add-generally extending far and wide beyond him, so as to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bradley/such-exceptional-suffering-and-calamity-then-affecting-the-hero-and/) [A. C. Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bradley/) > [When a man has calamity upon calamity the world generally concludes that he must be a very wicked man to deserve them. Perhaps the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-barr/when-a-man-has-calamity-upon-calamity-the-world-generally-concludes/) [Amelia Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-barr/) > [I can remember certain Manchester United defeats the way most people remember family bereavements or great political events. The four-nil drubbing by Barcelona, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-dunne/i-can-remember-certain-manchester-united-defeats-the-way-most-people/) Tom Dunne [Browse all 442 Calamity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calamity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This society [Jesuits] has been a greater calamity to mankind than the French Revolution, or Napoleon 's despotism or ideology. 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