Quote  Category: Character “These are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or in the repose of a pacific station, that great challenges are formed.... Great necessities call out great virtues.” - Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) Letter to John Quincy Adams, January 19, 1780 - 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.