James Truslow Adams Quotes

A collection of quotes by James Truslow Adams.

James Truslow Adams (1878-1949) was an American writer and historian best known for coining the term "American Dream." Born in Brooklyn, New York, Adams attended Yale University where he studied American history. His career spanned various literary works, including biographies, novels, and history books. In 1931, he published his most celebrated work, "The Epic of America," in which he introduced the concept of the American Dream. Adams believed that the American Dream was not just material wealth but also the pursuit of happiness and a better life for all citizens. His ideas continue to inspire and shape American society.

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.

James Truslow Adams


Be not afraid of life. Believe that life IS worth living and

Be not afraid of life. Believe that life IS worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

James Truslow Adams

Life Belief Worth Help

It may be that without a vision men shall die. It is no less

It may be that without a vision men shall die. It is no less true that, without hard practical sense, they shall also die. Without Jefferson the new nation might have lost its soul. Without Hamilton it would assuredly have been killed in body.

James Truslow Adams


As we look over the list of the early leaders of the republi

As we look over the list of the early leaders of the republic, Washington, John Adams, Hamilton, and others, we discern that they were all men who insisted upon being themselves and who refused to truckle to the people. With each succeeding generation, the growing demand of the people that its elective officials shall not lead but merely register the popular will has steadily undermined the independence of those who derive their power from popular election. The persistent refusal of the Adamses to sacrifice the integrity of their own intellectual and moral standards and values for the sake of winning public office or popular favor is another of the measuring rods by which we may measure the divergence of American life from its starting point.

James Truslow Adams


We cannot advance without new experiments in living, but no

We cannot advance without new experiments in living, but no wise man tries every day what he has proved wrong the day before.

James Truslow Adams

Wisdom

The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alte

The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind.

James Truslow Adams

Attitude

Age acquires no value save through thought and discipline.

Age acquires no value save through thought and discipline.

James Truslow Adams

Age

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behaves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.

James Truslow Adams

Best

The freedom now desired by many is not freedom to do and dar

The freedom now desired by many is not freedom to do and dare but freedom from care and worry.

James Truslow Adams

Freedom

Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you fe

Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it.

James Truslow Adams

Attitude