| The Columbia World of Quotations. 1996. |
| |
| |
| NUMBER: | 2719 |
| QUOTATION: | The reins of government have been so long slackened, that I fear the people will not quietly submit to those restraints which are necessary for the peace and security of the community. |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Abigail Adams (1744–1818), U.S. matriarch; wife and mother of United States President. Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams, During the Revolution, letter dated November 27, 1775 (1875).
In a letter to her husband John Adams, who was away fighting in the American colonies’ revolution against Britain. |
| |
| | | The Columbia World of Quotations. Copyright © 1996 Columbia University Press. |
|
|
