American politics is a struggle, not of men but of forces. The men become every year more and more creatures of force, massed about central power houses.
Henry AdamsRead
His brothers were the type; he was the variation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes individuality within a family context, suggesting that one can be distinct from the familial norms.
Henry Adams reflects on the idea that within a family, individuals can embody unique traits or characteristics that set them apart from their relatives. While his brothers represent a specific type or set of values, he considers himself a 'variation'βhighlighting the beauty and complexity of individual differences within familial relationships.
Themes
IndividualityFamilyVariationDifferencePersonal Identity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about embracing our differences during a family gathering.
More from Henry Adams
All quotes βOf all studies, the one he would rather have avoided was that of his own mind. He knew no tragedy so heartrending as introspection.
Henry AdamsRead
Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man.
Henry AdamsRead
Church and State, Soul and Body, God and Man, are all one at Mont Saint Michel, and the business of all is to fight, each in his own way, or to stand guard for each other.
Henry AdamsRead
The American President resembles the commander of a ship at sea. He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port to seek.
Henry AdamsRead
The effect of power and publicity on all men is the aggravation of self, a sort of tumor that ends by killing the victim's sympathies.
Henry AdamsRead
Similar quotes
Perhaps the greatest social service that can be rendered by anybody to the country and to mankind is to bring up a family. But here again, because there is nothing to sell, there is a very general disposition to regard a married woman's work as no work at all, and to take it as a matter of course that she should not be paid for it.
George Bernard ShawRead
I usually claim that pregnant women should not read books about pregnancy and birth. Their time is too precious. They should, rather, watch the moon and sing to their baby in the womb.
Michel OdentRead
When everything happened to my family, my focus was just take care of my children. That led me to believe I might not ever be able to coach again, and I was cool with that.
Monty WilliamsRead
The fundamental defect of fathers, in our competitive society, is that they want their children to be a credit to them.
Bertrand RussellRead
Children sweeten labours, but they make misfortunes more bitter.
Francis BaconRead
If you have children, you know you're responsible for somebody. You realize you are being imitated; your belief systems and priorities have a direct influence on these children, who are like flowers in a garden.
Madonna CicconeRead