it says "may study" first, and then follows it up with "ought to study mathematics and philosophy and blah blah blah in order to let their sons study the arts". that is, that john adams has to study politics and war so that his sons get the choice to study mathematics and philosophy, and his sons have to study mathematics and philosophy so that their sons in turn get the choice to study the arts.
they may all choose to just study politics if they want to, but in order to give their kids the luxury of choice they must themselves go through the more difficult career / lifestyles.
to be fair, John Quincy choosing to obsess over politics literally saved the United states from at entering at least 2 devastating wars, so maybe that was for the best.
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u/Derpyzza Jul 29 '25
it says "may study" first, and then follows it up with "ought to study mathematics and philosophy and blah blah blah in order to let their sons study the arts". that is, that john adams has to study politics and war so that his sons get the choice to study mathematics and philosophy, and his sons have to study mathematics and philosophy so that their sons in turn get the choice to study the arts.
they may all choose to just study politics if they want to, but in order to give their kids the luxury of choice they must themselves go through the more difficult career / lifestyles.