quote · Legacy record
Rather than literally burning the midnight oil, which he judged to be unhealthy, John Adams advised his son to make the most of college by developing an inquisitive outlook that would prompt him to get to know the most exceptional scholars and question them closely. "Ask them about their tutors, manner of teaching. Observe what books lie on their tables. Fall into questions of literature, science, or what you will.
Rather than literally burning the midnight oil, which he judged to be unhealthy, John Adams advised his son to make the most of college by developing an inquisitive outlook that would prompt him to get to know the most exceptional scholars and question them closely. "Ask them about their tutors, manner of teaching. Observe what books lie on their tables. Fall into questions of literature, science, or what you will.
Approximate author period: c. 1968 AD · modern
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- Author or tradition
- David McCullough
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
- Not established
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- Approximate author period: c. 1968 AD · modern
Approximate author-period evidence for David McCullough: documented activity in 1968. Wikidata Q374610, inspected 2026-10-08. Not a quotation composition date or independent verification of attribution. Source: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q374610 (accessed 2026-10-08).
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Supplied reference C; CSV row 331298; supplied attribution, independently unverified
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