Smartyfair
Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with diligence.

In plain words

Learning doesn't just happen to you. You have to chase it.

Where these words come from

How sure this is
78% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up
Letter, Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams; Adams Papers doc 04-03-02-0240 (Founders Online, cataloged 20 Mar 1780, a multi-part letter continued 8 May 1780). Wikiquote independently lists this exact line as Sourced, citing '8 May 1780' — same document, resolving the apparent date discrepancy.
Work
Letter to her son John Quincy Adams (8 May 1780)
Occasion
1780
Sources checked
  • en.wikiquote.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 20 August 2026Fetched directly; confirmed quote in Sourced section, cited 'Letter to John Quincy Adams (8 May 1780)'.

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