Who said “Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.”?

Verified

Abigail Adams. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter from Abigail to John Adams, Braintree, May, 7, 1776.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z
“Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.”
— Abigail Adams
VerifiedLetter from Abigail to John Adams, Braintree, May, 7, 1776. · evidencePower

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter from Abigail to John Adams, Braintree, May, 7, 1776..

APA

Adams, A. (n.d.). Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1006-arbitrary-power-is-like-most-other-things-which/

MLA

Adams, Abigail. “Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1006-arbitrary-power-is-like-most-other-things-which/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Adams, Abigail. “Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1006-arbitrary-power-is-like-most-other-things-which/.

Related quotes

“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
VerifiedLetter to Henry L. Sprague (26 January 1900); this is the first known use of this phrase, which became a signature motto of Roosevelt's after he used it in a speech as vice president at the Minnesota State Fair · evidenceDetails & citePower

More quotes by Abigail Adams

“Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”
VerifiedLetter to John Quincy Adams (8 May 1780) · evidenceDetails & citeLearning
All 4 Abigail Adams quotes →