John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

10. I had only time this morning to finish reading the Epinomis, or Philosopher at the close of Plato’s Laws— As my acquaintance with Plato, becomes more intimate, my admiration of his genius, and my regret for his errors increases— I lament that I had not sought this intimacy sooner, and more assiduously— In reading him it is necessary to be always upon one’s guard—always winnowing the chaff from the wheat— His Laws, might with more propriety have been called the Republic, than the work which bears that name. The Laws, are professedly a project of a Constitution for a Cretan Colony, that was to issue from the City of Gnossus— As a project of Government it is if possible more absurd and impracticable than the Republic— He chuses to have 5040 families, and proposes laws to prevent their increase not less than their diminution— He makes laws for the most trivial domestic arrangements, and punishes with death more frequently than Draco— But some of his regulations are excellent, and many of his principles are truly admirable. His argument upon the existence and nature of the Gods, upon the immortality of the Soul, and upon future rewards and punishments is inferior to nothing but Christianity; and stronger in Logic than the Phaedo— The doctrine upon Love, peculiar to Plato, is fully set forth in this book, and in spite of all ridicule is both beautiful and sublime— The Doctrine about numbers, seems to me rather pedantic than profound— But the advice to study the mathematics and Astronomy is well reasoned— I hope to be yet, much better acquainted with Plato— At Noon I went with Mr Smith to the Winter Palace, and attended the Te Deum— The Emperor, Empress and Grand-Duke Constantine only were there of the Imperial Family— The Empress-Mother is sick at Gatschina— I had some Conversation with the French Ambassador, who hinted to me that with the help of about five thousand Frenchmen, we could easily take Canada— The Te Deum was finished about 1/2 past two— After I came home Mr Slade and Mr Smith of Boston called upon me— Mr Slade brought me a letter, and packets of Newspapers from Mr J. S. Smith in London— I walked with Charles to the Summer Garden Bridge— Evening employed wholly in reading— Robinson’s Characters of Onesimus and of Holy Angels; and the last three Sermons Vol. 1. of the English preacher— On Self-Deceit— On Studying the works of Nature; and on Inconstancy in Religion— I get little instruction from these abridgements.