--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where annual elections end, there slavery…" description: "\"Where annual elections end, there slavery begins ... Humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenous beast of p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/john-adams-529_annuals_where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery_2251009.jpg" --- # Where annual elections end, there slavery begins… ![“Where annual elections end, there slavery begins ... Humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenous beast of prey.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/john-adams-529_annuals_where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery_2251009.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/john-adams-529_annuals_where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery_2251009.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/john-adams-529_annuals_where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery_2251009.jpg) > “Where annual elections end, there slavery begins ... Humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenous beast of prey.” [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage warns that after elections, the lack of humility, patience, and moderation leads leaders to become predatory and abusive. **In simple terms:** Power without restraint leads to tyranny. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility and moderation in leadership. Themes politics ethics leadership Mood cautionary serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - government - corporate management - community organizing - personal relationships Key Concepts virtue ethics power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What checks can prevent leaders from becoming predatory? - How does humility protect against abuse of power? A Different Perspective Even with virtues, power can corrupt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moderation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moderation/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery/) [Term limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term-limits/) ## Related quotes > [Where annual elections end, there slavery begins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery-begins/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Where annual elections end where slavery begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/where-annual-elections-end-where-slavery-begins/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [We cannot carry the gospel to the poor and lowly while emulating the practices of the rich and powerful. We’ve been invited into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/we-cannot-carry-the-gospel-to-the-poor-and-lowly-while-emulating-the/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [I am for making of terms annual, and for sending an entire new set every year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-am-for-making-of-terms-annual-and-for-sending-an-entire-new-set/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Everything is gestation and bringing forth. To let each impression and each germ of feeling come to completion wholly in itself, in the dark,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/everything-is-gestation-and-bringing-forth-to-let-each-impression-and-2/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Practice humility and patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/practice-humility-and-patience/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [“Love teaches you humility—patience—understanding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-todd/love-teaches-you-humility-patience-understanding/) [Charles Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-todd/) > [“Trust yourself and your instincts; even if you go wrong in your judgement, the natural growth of your inner life will gradually, over time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/trust-yourself-and-your-instincts-even-if-you-go-wrong-in-your/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Humility and patience are the surest proofs of the increase of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/humility-and-patience-are-the-surest-proofs-of-the-increase-of-love/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [Cease to be a disobedient child in the school of experience, and begin to learn, with humility and patience, the lessons that are set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/cease-to-be-a-disobedient-child-in-the-school-of-experience-and-begin/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [Evil and faults are corrected by good, by love, kindness, meekness, humility, and patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-kronstadt/evil-and-faults-are-corrected-by-good-by-love-kindness-meekness/) [John of Kronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-kronstadt/) > [“industry, compassion, humility, patience, honesty and courage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-sharma/industry-compassion-humility-patience-honesty-and-courage/) [Robin S. Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-sharma/) > [I learned a lot about humility and patience, keeping my mouth shut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/i-learned-a-lot-about-humility-and-patience-keeping-my-mouth-shut/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [If you should temporarily lose your sense of well-being, don't be too quick to despair. With humility and patience, wait for God who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-should-temporarily-lose-your-sense-of-well-being-don-t-be-too/) [Thomas A Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“If you had the capacity to shove love into a princess or fury into a winged monster, you had the capacity to generate passion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-satyal/if-you-had-the-capacity-to-shove-love-into-a-princess-or-fury-into-a/) [Rakesh Satyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-satyal/) ## More by John Adams > [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/daughter-get-you-an-honest-man-for-a-husband-and-keep-him-honest-no/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-general-principles-on-which-the-fathers-achieved-independence/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-may-affirm-that-the-balance-of-power-in-a-society-accompanies-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-longer-i-live-the-more-i-read-the-more-patiently-i-think-and-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/upon-common-theaters-indeed-the-applause-of-the-audience-is-of-more/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/there-are-only-two-creatures-of-value-on-the-face-of-the-earth-those/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [ I will insist the Hebrews have \[contributed\] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-will-insist-the-hebrews-have-contributed-more-to-civilize-men-than/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit, honor, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/government-is-instituted-for-the-common-good-for-the-protection/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Make Things rather than Persons the subjects of conversations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/make-things-rather-than-persons-the-subjects-of-conversations/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/during-the-whole-time-i-sat-with-him-in-congress-i-never-heard-him/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/religion-and-virtue-are-the-only-foundations-not-of-republicanism-and/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-universal-object-and-idol-of-men-of-letters-is-reputation/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-consider-a-decent-respect-for-christianity-among-the-best/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) [Explore all 495 John Adams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## More Annuals quotes > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [Currently, the United States provides 22 percent of the U.N. annual budgets, over $900 million in fiscal year 2007, and some of that funding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mccaul/currently-the-united-states-provides-22-percent-of-the-u-n-annual/) [Michael McCaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mccaul/) > [A ten per cent reduction in military expenditures per year would be reasonable, coupled with a programme of retraining the workforce and redirecting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-maurice-de-zayas/a-ten-per-cent-reduction-in-military-expenditures-per-year-would-be/) [Alfred-Maurice de Zayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-maurice-de-zayas/) > [Gerry Fialka's annual PXL THIS is a reliably surprising and seductive round-up of recent work achieved with the PXL 2000 camera. This humble outdated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-almereyda/gerry-fialka-s-annual-pxl-this-is-a-reliably-surprising-and-seductive/) Michael Almereyda > [There are three processes every company has to have: Somehow you've got to set strategies; you've got to have a budget, so you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-tichy/there-are-three-processes-every-company-has-to-have-somehow-you-ve/) [Noel Tichy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-tichy/) > [There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who don't cook out of and have NEVER cooked out of THE I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peg-bracken/there-are-two-kinds-of-people-in-this-world-the-ones-who-don-t-cook/) [Peg Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peg-bracken/) > [Once we realized that there were these 25 invariable types - the class politician, the frigid popular girl, the kid who tags along behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/once-we-realized-that-there-were-these-25-invariable-types-the-class/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Hence I feel no shame in asserting that this whole region engirdled by the moon, and the center of the earth, traverse this grand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolaus-copernicus/hence-i-feel-no-shame-in-asserting-that-this-whole-region-engirdled/) [Nicolaus Copernicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolaus-copernicus/) > [Annual earnings in the fast-food industry are well below the income needed for self-sufficiency, and fast-food industry jobs are also much less likely than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rolf/annual-earnings-in-the-fast-food-industry-are-well-below-the-income/) [David Rolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rolf/) > [The two revolutions, I mean the annual revolutions of the declination and of the centre of the Earth, are not completely equal; that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolaus-copernicus/the-two-revolutions-i-mean-the-annual-revolutions-of-the-declination/) [Nicolaus Copernicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolaus-copernicus/) > [When you only have a million dollar annual budget and a Super Bowl ad costs $4 million, you have to do something very creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-st-pierre/when-you-only-have-a-million-dollar-annual-budget-and-a-super-bowl-ad/) Allen St. Pierre > [Discrimination and multiple deprivations of human rights are also frequently part of the problem, sentencing entire populations to poverty... It is surely a matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/navi-pillay/discrimination-and-multiple-deprivations-of-human-rights-are-also/) Navi Pillay > [Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/annual-income-twenty-pounds-annual-expenditure-nineteen-six-result/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [A convention is a social pattern we have chosen to prefer over whatever the raw world simply proffers. It is a sign of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-bartlett-giamatti/a-convention-is-a-social-pattern-we-have-chosen-to-prefer-over/) [A. Bartlett Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-bartlett-giamatti/) > [One of my most memorable Thanksgiving memories was probably the first year that me and my two brothers decided to start our annual eating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kelley/one-of-my-most-memorable-thanksgiving-memories-was-probably-the-first/) [Charles Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kelley/) Browse all 233 Annuals quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Where annual elections end, there slavery begins ... Humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenous beast of prey.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Adams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery-begins-humility-patience-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Annuals" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery-begins-humility-patience-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/john-adams-529_annuals_where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery_2251009.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/john-adams-529_annuals_where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery_2251009.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/john-adams-529_annuals_where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery_2251009.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Where annual elections end, there slavery begins ... Humility, patience, and moderation, without which every…” — John Adams", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Adams", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Where annual elections end, there slavery...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery-begins-humility-patience-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/where-annual-elections-end-there-slavery-begins-humility-patience-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```