Quite possibly, this depressive illness was the familiar sort that grew from perfectionist expectations.

Foolish defiance was his lifelong response to being ill.

When John Quincy Adams in the Netherlands was placed with elementary students and belittled because he did not speak Dutch, either the author or John Adams accuses school authorities of "littleness of soul".

Because he was suffering doubts about himself and his future, Adams may have felt comfort demeaning the behavior and the character of women.

John Quincy Adams, denying his sons permission to come home for college holidays for under-performance: "I would feel nothing but sorrow and shame at your presence.