--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of…" description: "\"You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.\" — John Adams" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/john-adams-529_aristocracy_you-are-apprehensive-of-monarchy-i-of-ar_1712191.jpg" --- # You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I… ![“You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/john-adams-529_aristocracy_you-are-apprehensive-of-monarchy-i-of-ar_1712191.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/john-adams-529_aristocracy_you-are-apprehensive-of-monarchy-i-of-ar_1712191.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/john-adams-529_aristocracy_you-are-apprehensive-of-monarchy-i-of-ar_1712191.jpg) > “You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President and less to the Senate.” [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. Preference for executive power over legislative checks reflects concern about aristocratic influence. **In simple terms:** Favor strong executive, limit Senate power. Key Takeaway Consider balance of power. Themes politics government philosophy Mood reflective critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - constitutional drafting - policy debates - legislative reform Key Concepts republicanism checks and balances Questions to Reflect On - Is a strong president always preferable? - How does this view affect democratic stability? A Different Perspective Risk of authoritarianism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aristocracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy/) [Monarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monarchy/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Senate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/senate/) ## Related quotes > [The best Governments of the World have bin composed of Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-best-governments-of-the-world-have-bin-composed-of-monarchy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When men are spoken of as kings and subjects, or when Government is mentioned under the distinct and combined heads of monarchy, aristocracy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/when-men-are-spoken-of-as-kings-and-subjects-or-when-government-is/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [I do not conceive that power is given to the President and Senate to dismember the empire, or to alienate any great, essential right.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/i-do-not-conceive-that-power-is-given-to-the-president-and-senate-to/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [When I'm president, the Senate bill is not going to be what we're operating off of. It's going to begin by focusing on securing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/when-i-m-president-the-senate-bill-is-not-going-to-be-what-we-re/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“Adams holds the record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by any vice-president in the Senate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/adams-holds-the-record-for-the-most-tie-breaking-votes-cast-by-any/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [Under the Constitution, the president, not the Senate, nominates and appoints judges. The Senate has a different role. We must give our advice .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-hatch/under-the-constitution-the-president-not-the-senate-nominates-and/) [Orrin Hatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-hatch/) > [I'm president of the Senate. I'm not a neophyte when it comes to understanding political alignments and misalignments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hanabusa/i-m-president-of-the-senate-i-m-not-a-neophyte-when-it-comes-to/) [Colleen Hanabusa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hanabusa/) > [The power that a president has in France is like the power of a king. In America, you know that his power is limited.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspar-noe/the-power-that-a-president-has-in-france-is-like-the-power-of-a-king/) [Gaspar Noe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspar-noe/) > [It is an abuse of power, when you are President of the United States, to use the White House to single out a single…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-crowley/it-is-an-abuse-of-power-when-you-are-president-of-the-united-states/) [Monica Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-crowley/) > [We can't give excessive, unfettered power to a president to act alone, to bind an entire country to a set of principles, a set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/we-can-t-give-excessive-unfettered-power-to-a-president-to-act-alone/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [With all the power that a president has, the most important thing to bear in mind is this: You must not give power to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/with-all-the-power-that-a-president-has-the-most-important-thing-to/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [We should have a strong president. Strong enough to resist the temptation of taking power that a president shouldn't have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/we-should-have-a-strong-president-strong-enough-to-resist-the/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [If America wants to retain its position as a global power, its president must listen to the people and show strong leadership at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/if-america-wants-to-retain-its-position-as-a-global-power-its/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [The great power the president has is that he is the most prominent person in the biggest media event on the planet. He has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/the-great-power-the-president-has-is-that-he-is-the-most-prominent/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [President Joe Biden is unfit to hold the office of the Presidency. His pattern of abuse of power as President Obama's Vice President is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-taylor-greene/president-joe-biden-is-unfit-to-hold-the-office-of-the-presidency-his/) [Marjorie Taylor Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-taylor-greene/) ## 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 Aristocracy quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“I believe in aristocracy, though -- if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/i-believe-in-aristocracy-though-if-that-is-the-right-word-and-if-a/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [24.9 percent of American children live in poverty, while the proportions in Germany, France and Italy are 8.6, 7.4 and 10.5 percent. And once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hutton/24-9-percent-of-american-children-live-in-poverty-while-the/) [Will Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hutton/) > [Tomorrow every Duchess in London will be waiting to kiss me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramsay-macdonald/tomorrow-every-duchess-in-london-will-be-waiting-to-kiss-me/) [Ramsay MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramsay-macdonald/) > [“Why do these big old country houses always have family portraits in the dining room? Do you really want to eat with someone's gloomy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/why-do-these-big-old-country-houses-always-have-family-portraits-in/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“I believe in aristocracy, though—if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power … but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-n-aron/i-believe-in-aristocracy-though-if-that-is-the-right-word-and-if-a-2/) [Elaine N. Aron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-n-aron/) > [Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. Books, the oldest and the best, stand naturally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/books-are-the-treasured-wealth-of-the-world-and-the-fit-inheritance/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [We stand a better chance with aristocracy, whether hereditary or elective, than with monarchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-stiles/we-stand-a-better-chance-with-aristocracy-whether-hereditary-or/) [Ezra Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-stiles/) > [ The law for religious freedom... \[has\]put down the aristocracy of the clergy and restored to the citizen the freedom of the mind. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-law-for-religious-freedom-has-put-down-the-aristocracy-of-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Common sense, in so far as it exists, is all for the bourgeoisie. Nonsense is the privilege of the aristocracy. The worries of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-jean-nathan/common-sense-in-so-far-as-it-exists-is-all-for-the-bourgeoisie/) [George Jean Nathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-jean-nathan/) [Browse all 426 Aristocracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. 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