They TEND to Think You are SERIOUS.

BEN FRANKLIN: 

Politics is The Art of The Possible. 

What did you get by opposing the motion? 

It was carried with or without you;

all you did was make enemies. 

And-- and make yourself 

feel better, of course.

JOHN ADAMS: 

Do you not believe in 

saying what you think?

FRANKLIN: 

No, I'm very much against it. 

Thinking aloud is responsible 

for much of mankind's misery. 

Saint Thomas à Becket might have lived 

to a ripe, old age if he'd... hm. 

[smiles, nods, chuckling wryly; pause; takes a breath] 

You insulted Mr. Dickinson. 

[pause] 

You insulted him in public.

ADAMS: 

Would you have me 

insult him in private?

FRANKLIN: 

It's perfectly acceptable 

to insult someone in private. 

Sometimes they might even 

thank you for it afterwards, 

but when you do it in public, 

they tend to think you are serious.

ADAMS: 

I feel hated in this town.

FRANKLIN: 

Go gently. I beg you. 

You are a guest in Philadelphia. 

Fish and guests stink after three days.

FRANKLIN: 

Diplomacy is seduction in another guise, Mr. Adams.

ADAMS: 

[of COLONEL WASHINGTON] 

A natural leader.

FRANKLIN: 

Well, he's always the tallest man in the room. 

He's bound to end up leading something.

ABIGAIL ADAMS: 

Will General Howe attack again?

JOHN: 

It's impossible to say.

ABIGAIL: 

What is that but an Army of Occupation? 

And The Congress goes on its knees to The King. 

Has the king deigned to reply? 

[pause] 

I understand people like Mr. Dickinson 

and his friends all too well, John. 

Send a woman to The Congress, 

she might knock some sense into them.

JOHN: 

It is not a question of men and women, Abigail, 

it is a matter of politics.

ABIGAIL: 

Politics. Politics?

JOHN: 

Mm.

ABIGAIL: 

And do women not live politics, John Adams? 

When I go to the cupboard, and I find no coffee, no sugar, 

no pins, no meat, am I not living politics? [pause] 

This war touches people that your Congress 

treats with the same contempt 

King George reserves for the people of Boston. 

I mean women, yes, and slaves, too, for that matter.

JOHN: 

[looks at her]

ABIGAIL: 

Though I'm sure you-- you wish 

I would not mention that subject 

as it might upset your southern friends.

JOHN: [pause] 

You are harsh, madam.

ABIGAIL: 

I am cold. [pause] And frightened. 

I am afraid this war will never end. Or begin.