What's the origin of this quote?

March 6, 2011 12:06 PM

Quote Filter: "We must be warriors so our children can be farmers and our grandchildren can be poets."

I don't know where or when I heard this (approximate) quote, but I like it, and I want to use it in some of my writing. Either google doesn't know, or I'm remembering the quote wrong. I'm very curious about the who, when, and why. Also, if anyone can set me straight on the precise phrasing, that would also be helpful. Thanks!

posted by SamanthaK to Religion & Philosophy (3 answers total)

argh. It's ringing a bell and it sounds like John Adams, but that's off the top of my head and most likely wrong.
posted by gaspode at 12:06 PM on March 6, 2011

Best answer: Yeah, here we go:

"I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine."

- John Adams to Abigail Adams, [post 12 May 1780]
posted by gaspode at 12:08 PM on March 6, 2011 [31 favorites]

oh, and apparently it's often misattributed to Jefferson.
posted by gaspode at 12:10 PM on March 6, 2011