These two didn't get much wrong, so let's look at a couple of quotes and pinpoint an example where each was actually wrong
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, 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
What John misses is that all men ( and all women interested in liberty) must study politics and war; the onslaught of corruption and banditry never ends...even when that banditry comes from government itself. Let each son and grandson study the things that interest him as he will...
but let him (or her) first understand how to defend home and neighborhood from the realities of life
As for Jefferson, the quote I had in mind was this...
In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.
Happily, I find that this is NOT traced back to Jefferson, but that people started associating him with this quote in...1973.
So my title is a bit wrong.
That's fine, but I'll go with my initial criticism of the statement anyhow ;>
The section of the quote regarding principle is spot on, but the part about fashion?
There are more important things for a man to concern himself with than fashion, properly a game for women and metros.
True, we are social animals, and part of our social games are based upon this...concept of style.
But a man should be prepared at all times to be able to fight in defense of liberty and of family. This means short hair an enemy can not get a hold of, and clothes that do not hinder combat movement.
It is also true that many cultures have had great warriors with long hair or peacocky clothes, and that styles often hindered fighting capability.
The thing about history is that it need not cycle simply because...we can learn from and avoid mistakes of the past.
Secondly, all men should be leaders ( yes, this is possible by recognizing when other men are right or when they are the best for a specific task); this means not being dressed by people who understand flash but not function. Make your own damn decision about what to wear. If you are such as bad-ass warrior that you can kick ass dressed like a drag queen and hair past your ass, then you will be ignoring me anyway!
Third; subversions of culture are often political in nature (Helloooooo Cultural Marxism), careful analysis of taste and style instead of slavish devotion to groupherding is the duty of a man.
Short hair...functional clothing...a weapon...this is all the style a man needs.
So we'll finish with one of Jefferson's better quotes...
