I’m enjoying a hefty biography of John Adams by David McCullough, and in it I discovered this gem of insight from the late 1780s. Adams was exploring principles that should be considered by all those working on the new Constitution, to replace the Articles of Confederation. “Thucydides said that the source of all evils was a ‘thirst of power, from rapacious and ambitious passions … religion, superstition, oaths, education, laws, all give way before passions, interest, and power.” It seems appropriate for reflection in 2025.
Louise Minks
Leverett