Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.

— Abigail Adams

But let no person say what they would or would not do, since we are not judges for ourselves until circumstances call us to act.

— Abigail Adams

But the heavy stroke which most of all distresses me is my dear Mother. I cannot overcome my too selfish sorrow, all her tenderness towards me, her care and anxiety for my welfare at all times, her watchfulness over my infant years, her advice and instruction in maturer age; all, all indie her memory to me, and lighten my sorrow for her loss. At the same time I know a patient submission is my Duty. I will strive to obtain it! But the lenient hand of time alone can blunt the keen Edge of Sorrow. He who deign to weep over a departed Friend, will surely forgive a sorrow which at all times desires to be bounded and restrained, by a firm Belief that a Being of infinite wisdom and unbounded Goodness, will carve out my portion in tender mercy towards me! Yea tho he slays me I will trust in him said holy Job. What tho his corrective Hand hath been stretched against me; I will not murder. Tho earthly comforts are taken away I will not repine, he who gave them has surely a right to limit their Duration, and has continued them to me much longer than deserved. I might have been stripped of my children as many others have been. I might o! Forbid it Heaven, I might have been left a solitary widow. Still I have many blessing left, many comforts to be thankful for, and rejoice in. I am not left to mourn as one without hope. My dear parent knew in whom she had Believed... The violence of her disease soon weakened her so that she was unable to converse, but whenever she could speak, she testified her willingness to leave the world and an entire resignation to the Divine Will. She retained her Senses to the last moment of her Existence, and departed the world with an easy tranquility, trusting in the merits of a Redeemer," (p. 81 & 82).

— Abigail Adams

Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could.

— Abigail Adams

From her character in the HBO miniseries: "The art of politics is the art of applying the seat of the britches to the seat of the chair.

— Abigail Adams

Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.

— Abigail Adams

Great necessities call out great virtues.

— Abigail Adams

I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature and that power, whether vested in many or a few, is ever grasping, and like the grave, cries, 'Give, give.'

— Abigail Adams

If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.

— Abigail Adams

I hate to complain... No one is without difficulties, whether in high or low life, and every person knows best where their own shoe pinches.

— Abigail Adams