By Abigail Adams
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
"Great necessities call out great virtues." This powerful Abigail Adams quote about courage beautifully captures how extraordinary challenges unlock our strongest qualities. The words ring out as a rallying call to rise to the moment, no matter the test. Whether you are facing a personal struggle, a community crisis, or a moment where difficult choices demand your best, these words shine a light on the potential for growth and hope. In every era, people draw strength from such reminders—finding new depths of courage when life calls for it most.
What Does This Quote Mean?
At its heart, "Great necessities call out great virtues" means that in times of real need or danger, our finest qualities emerge. When we talk about an Abigail Adams quote about courage, we see both direct and layered meaning. On a surface level, "great necessities" are those urgent, often overwhelming needs or crises we all face: sickness, loss, upheaval, or threats to our way of life. In such moments, people are pushed to act, not just out of routine but out of deep, moral purpose.
The "great virtues" part refers to the best parts of our character—courage, honesty, generosity, patience, and resilience. These aren’t traits we always show in easy times. Adams means that when things get tough, our response is what reveals how virtuous we truly are. She isn’t saying people are only virtuous in crisis, but rather, it is during such trials that hidden strength and nobility appear.
Metaphorically, this quote hints that we are like precious metals forged in fire. Calm times may not demand bravery or sacrifice, but when hardship strikes, these qualities are called forth—sometimes surprising even ourselves.
Abigail Adams was speaking to a world in turmoil, yet her message is timeless: necessity brings out the best in us. Facing trouble can feel heavy, but it proves how much courage and goodness we really possess—qualities that might otherwise lie unnoticed.
How Can You Use This Quote in Life?
1. Facing Personal Hardship
When life throws you a curveball—loss, failure, or a serious setback—remember this Abigail Adams quote about courage. Instead of shutting down, challenge yourself to look for opportunities to show patience, grit, and kindness. Responding with integrity and self-control, even when it’s hard, brings out the very strengths Abigail Adams describes.
2. Supporting Others During Crisis
If someone close to you is struggling, this quote can inspire you to step up. Compassion, reliability, and open-heartedness often blossom in tough times. Let necessity lead you to be the person your friends or family can rely on. Sometimes, doing the unexpected good deed or giving emotional support requires real courage—but this is where your finest virtues come alive.
3. Tackling Community or World Challenges
Moments of collective need—like natural disasters, social injustices, or community problems—offer a chance to make a difference. Volunteering, donating, or speaking up demand courage, persistence, and empathy. By showing up when the need is greatest, you live out the idea that challenge can bring forth the best in people.
4. Making Difficult Ethical Choices
Big decisions often have no easy answers. Maybe you’re called to do the right thing even when it’s hard, unpopular, or risky. This quote is a reminder: such situations are invitations to display honesty, fairness, and bravery. When necessity presses you to choose, reach for the virtues that matter most.
5. Encouraging Growth in Others
If you’re a parent, teacher, or leader, remind people around you that hardship is not just a burden, but a chance for growth. Inspire others by highlighting how times of pressure can bring out qualities they may not know they have. In doing so, you pass along the wisdom of Abigail Adams and cultivate a spirit of courage in the next generation.
By finding real-life moments to apply this wisdom, you not only handle your own struggles better—you inspire those around you. "Great necessities call out great virtues" is not only a phrase for history books but a living guide for everyday acts of courage and character.
✨ The Motivation Message
You have more strength inside you than you think! Every challenge, big or small, is a new chance to let your best self shine. No one likes a crisis, but it’s those tough moments that show just how brave, creative, and caring you can be. When life gets difficult, you don’t have to be perfect or fearless—just willing to answer the call with whatever courage you can muster.
Don’t forget: every time you meet hardship head-on, you’re not just surviving—you’re growing into someone even stronger. Let this Abigail Adams quote about courage remind you that struggles are an invitation, not a sentence. Today, face what’s in front of you with an open heart. Stand up for what’s right, lend a helping hand, or show patience when it’s hardest. You’re more remarkable than you know! 💪 Take the next step, and see what great virtues awaken within you. The world needs what only you can give—rise to the challenge and let your light shine! 🌟
About the Author
Abigail Adams, who was born in 1744 and died in 1818, was an influential thinker, letter-writer, and the wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States. She played a vital role during some of the nation’s most challenging years, serving as an advisor and confidant to her husband during the Revolutionary War and beyond. Her insights and compassion extended into her extraordinary letters, which offer a clear window into her fierce intellect and deep sense of justice.
Though Abigail Adams never held an official title, her influence helped shape the character of American democracy. She believed in the importance of virtue, education, and equality, often advocating for the rights of women and the responsibility of all citizens to act with moral courage. The quote "Great necessities call out great virtues" distills her core worldview: that difficult times are not to be feared, but rather, embraced as opportunities to demonstrate our highest values. For Abigail Adams, true greatness revealed itself not in comfort but in the willingness to face hardship with dignity and purpose.
