SELF-CONTROL

'...the Government of ones own soul requires greater Parts and Virtues than the Management of Kingdoms, and the Conquest of the disorderly rebellious Principles in our Nature, is more glorious than the acquisition of Universal Dominion.'

John Adams in Margaret A Hogan and C James Taylor (Ed.), My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams, p.7.

THE PSALMS

'The Psalms of David, in sublimity, beauty, pathos, and originality, or in one word poetry, are superior to all the odes, hymns, and songs in any language.'

John Adams in David McCullough, John Adams, p.629.