Quote  Category: Unsorted “If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?” - Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) Letter to John Thaxter, Sept. 29, 1778 - wife of John Adams, 2nd US president, mother of John Quincy Adams, 6th US pres. Email this quote to a friend! If there is an error in this quote please let us know. Famous Quotes © ® All rights reserved.