I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature

In this profound reflection, Abigail Adams, one of the wisest voices of early America, speaks of the dangerous nature of man and the insatiable hunger of power. She declares that whether power rests in the hands of a single ruler or is spread among many, it has a relentless tendency to grasp, never satisfied, always crying, “Give, give.” Her words echo like a warning bell across the ages, revealing a truth known to ancient philosophers and kings: that unchecked ambition corrodes the soul and endangers the stability of nations.

Abigail’s insight arose from her direct experience during the turbulent era of the American Revolution. As the wife and confidant of John Adams, she observed the birth of a new government and the struggles of men striving to balance liberty and authority. She saw how even noble causes could be tainted by ambition, how those who fought for freedom could themselves become enslaved by the very power they sought to wield. Her words remind us that corruption does not come only from tyrants, but from the weakness of human nature itself.

History is filled with examples of this truth. In ancient Rome, Julius Caesar rose as a hero of the people, only to seize absolute control and destroy the republic. Centuries later, revolutions in France and Russia promised equality but descended into chaos as new rulers became as oppressive as those they overthrew. These cycles reveal the same pattern Abigail describes: power hungers endlessly, like a grave that devours without limit, demanding more lives, more resources, more obedience.

Her metaphor of the grave crying, “Give, give,” is deeply evocative. A grave has no satisfaction; it takes and takes, yet remains empty. So too does power, when not restrained by virtue and law. This is why wise societies create systems of checks and balances, designed to limit the reach of any single individual or group. Abigail’s warning is timeless: without constant vigilance, even the most just government can decay into tyranny.

Thus, her words are not merely a reflection on her own time, but a teaching for all generations. Leaders must remember that they are servants, not masters, and citizens must guard their freedoms with courage and unity. Power itself is not evil, but when wielded without humility and accountability, it becomes a devouring force. Abigail Adams’ wisdom calls us to vigilance: to resist the grave’s cry of “Give, give,” and to ensure that the light of liberty burns brighter than the darkness of ambition.