Who said “Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to…”?

Verified

Abigail Adams. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter to John Quincy Adams (8 May 1780)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”
— Abigail Adams
VerifiedLetter to John Quincy Adams (8 May 1780) · evidenceLearning

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to John Quincy Adams (8 May 1780).

APA

Adams, A. (n.d.). Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22747-learning-is-not-attained-by-chance-it-must/

MLA

Adams, Abigail. “Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22747-learning-is-not-attained-by-chance-it-must/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Adams, Abigail. “Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22747-learning-is-not-attained-by-chance-it-must/.

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“Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.”
VerifiedLetter from Abigail to John Adams, Braintree, May, 7, 1776. · evidenceDetails & citePower
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