John Adams diary entry August 14th Saturday 1756

Why am I so unreasonable as to expect happiness and a solid undisturbed contentment amidst all the disorders and continual rotations of worldly affairs? Stability is no where to be found in that part of the universe that lies within our observation. The natural and moral world are continually changing. The planets with all their appendages strike out their amazing circles around the sun. Upon the earth one is serene and clear, no cloud intercepts the kind influence of the sun, and all nature seems to flourish and look gay. But these delightful scenes soon vanish and are succeeded by the gloom darkness of night. And before the morning appears, the clouds gather, the winds rise, lightnings glare, and thunder bellows from the vast of heaven. man is sometimes flushed with joy and transported with the fury of sensual pleasure, and the next hour, lies groaning under the pangs of disappointment and adverse fortune. Thus God has told us by the general constitution of the world by the nature of terrestial enjoyments and the constitutions of our own bodies that this world was not designed for a lasting and happy state, but rather for a state of moral discipline, that we might have a fair opportunity and continual excitements to labor after a cheerful resignation to all the events of Providence. After habits of virtue, self government and piety. And this temper of mind is in our power to acquire, and this alone can secure us against all the adversities of fortune, against all the malice of men, against all the operations of nature. A world in flames, a whole system of tumbling in ruins to the center has nothing terrifying in it to a man whose security builded on the admantine basis of good conscience and confirmed piety. If I could but conform my life and conversation to my speculations I should be happy. Have I hardiness enough to contend with Omnipotence? or have I cunning enough to elude Infinite Wisdom? Or ingratitude enough to spurn at infinite goodness? The situation I am in, the advantages that I enjoy, are thought to be best for me by him who alone is Competent Judge of Fitness and Propriety. Shall I then complain. Oh madness, pride, impiety.