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I prefer a more optimistic interpretation of John Adams’ quote in relation to work ethic and motivation to help our future generations: "The science of governm

I prefer a more optimistic interpretation of John Adams’ quote in relation to work ethic and motivation to help our future generations: "The science of government it is my duty to study, more than all other sciences; the arts of legislation and administration and negotiation ought to take the place of, indeed exclude, in a manner, all other arts. I must study politics and war, that our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain." — John Adams, May 1780

archhn 5y ago
Working hard to lay a solid foundation for future generations is a noble idea, but it doesn't follow that simply "working hard" will lead to that end. I don't think putting in 60+ hours a week at PepsiCo, overseeing the production of sugar water that poisons people, will help the future. Or struggling to make better weapons or scientific discoveries that may be weaponized. Etc. In other words, there are a lot of self-destructive tendencies in the work we are doing. We could be working hard to dig our own graves. Blind optimism is bound to get us into trouble. I'd prefer some facts that support the thesis that a strong work ethic always leads to a brighter future. The Nazi's worked hard. The communists in Russia worked really hard. Things didn't turn out so well for them. Direction is more important than force. I'd bet on a Volkswagen diven by a professional over a race car driven by a senile old lady.