--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Adam thought he had me. When I was hurt…" description: "\"“Adam thought he had me. When I was hurt, all broken up, he took me in and he waited on me, cooked for me. He tried to tie me down that way. Most peopl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3c/john-steinbeck-71_handcuffs_adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-a_2885288.jpg" --- # Adam thought he had me. When I was hurt, all broken up, he… ![“Adam thought he had me. When I was hurt, all broken up, he took me in and he waited on me, cooked for me. He tried to tie me down that way. Most people get tied down that way. They’re grateful, they’re in debt, and that’s the worst kind of handcuffs. But nobody can hold me. I waited and waited…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3c/john-steinbeck-71_handcuffs_adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-a_2885288.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3c/john-steinbeck-71_handcuffs_adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-a_2885288.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3c/john-steinbeck-71_handcuffs_adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-a_2885288.jpg) > ““Adam thought he had me. When I was hurt, all broken up, he took me in and he waited on me, cooked for me. He tried to tie me down that way. Most people get tied down that way. They’re grateful, they’re in debt, and that’s the worst kind of handcuffs. But nobody can hold me. I waited and waited until I was strong, and then I broke out. Nobody can trap me,” she said. “I knew what he was doing. I waited.” “I don’t hate you,” he said. “But I’m glad you’re afraid.”” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dependency can become a subtle prison; true freedom comes from self‑reliance. **In simple terms:** Dependence can be binding; break free. Key Takeaway Seek independence and self‑strength. Themes freedom dependency relationships Mood reflective poignant Type literary psychological When to use this quote - personal development - relationship counseling - self‑help Key Concepts psychological captivity personal autonomy emotional resilience Questions to Reflect On - What ties keep you bound? - How can you balance gratitude and autonomy? A Different Perspective Breaking free may be painful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Just like my Uncle Charlie used to say, just before he sprung the trap: He said, "You can't cheat and honest man! Never give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/just-like-my-uncle-charlie-used-to-say-just-before-he-sprung-the-trap/) [W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/) > [“It is always the same trap,” she said gently. “You longed for conversation. The bear craved jokes. The gray wolf missed music. The boar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-is-always-the-same-trap-she-said-gently-you-longed-for/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“A piece of writing is a trap,” he said cheerily, “and the best kind. A book, you see, is the only kind of trap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/a-piece-of-writing-is-a-trap-he-said-cheerily-and-the-best-kind-a/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“Some escaped the trap, most didn't. Those who got out always left something of themselves behind, as some animals amputate a leg and leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/some-escaped-the-trap-most-didn-t-those-who-got-out-always-left/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [If weapons formed stand in front of me when ever I fell trap you said that you would be the one to set me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-hudson/if-weapons-formed-stand-in-front-of-me-when-ever-i-fell-trap-you-said/) [Jennifer Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-hudson/) > [“But what if it's a trap?' she repeated. Joe gave her a hard stare.'Of course it's a fucking trap,' he said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ryan/but-what-if-it-s-a-trap-she-repeated-joe-gave-her-a-hard-stare-of/) [Chris Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ryan/) > [Christianity was created by some decadent and degenerated Romans as a tool of oppression, in the late Roman era, and it should be treated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/christianity-was-created-by-some-decadent-and-degenerated-romans-as-a/) [Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/) > [“Bout time," she huffed, but her voice sounded thick and emotional too."I was at the hospital all day yesterday, but they wouldn't let me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/bout-time-she-huffed-but-her-voice-sounded-thick-and-emotional-too-i/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [I absolutely admit I had him in the handcuffs so he wouldn't go anywhere while I checked the computer... I certainly wasn't going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/i-absolutely-admit-i-had-him-in-the-handcuffs-so-he-wouldn-t-go/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) > [Whips and chains, handcuffs, smack a little body up with my belt. Scream, help play my game, dracula man, I'll get my fangs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludacris/whips-and-chains-handcuffs-smack-a-little-body-up-with-my-belt-scream/) [Ludacris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludacris/) > [“I hope you brought your handcuffs," she added. "I won't go quietly." "I might use them anyway, for fun," he answered, remembering the sensation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-snopek/i-hope-you-brought-your-handcuffs-she-added-i-won-t-go-quietly-i/) [Roxanne Snopek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxanne-snopek/) > [“We're enveloped in pitch black. "Wait here," I whisper. "Are you getting your ax?" "Handcuffs." "Kinky. But, okay, I'll try it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/we-re-enveloped-in-pitch-black-wait-here-i-whisper-are-you-getting/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“Nothing matters. That's the key to unlocking the handcuffs that keep us imprisoned in worry, self-doubt, fear and disbelief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srinivas-rao/nothing-matters-that-s-the-key-to-unlocking-the-handcuffs-that-keep/) [Srinivas Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srinivas-rao/) > [You can put handcuffs on people who push the envelope. When they break the law, they deserve to have handcuffs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/you-can-put-handcuffs-on-people-who-push-the-envelope-when-they-break/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [Old Flossie settle down on the other side of What-the-Dickens and dragged some handiwork out of a sack. She armed herself with two thorns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/old-flossie-settle-down-on-the-other-side-of-what-the-dickens-and/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) ## More by John Steinbeck > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Prayer never brought in no side-meat. Takes a shoat to bring in pork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/prayer-never-brought-in-no-side-meat-takes-a-shoat-to-bring-in-pork/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“And now submarines are armed with mass murder, our silly, only way of deterring mass murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/and-now-submarines-are-armed-with-mass-murder-our-silly-only-way-of/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“I’d think there are degrees of greatness,” Adam said. “I don’t think so,” said Samuel. “That would be like saying there is a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-d-think-there-are-degrees-of-greatness-adam-said-i-don-t-think-so/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“He was forever inventing a new way of doing an old thing and doing it better and quicker, but he never in his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/he-was-forever-inventing-a-new-way-of-doing-an-old-thing-and-doing-it/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“You come back a changed man. Samuel, you don’t change him. He changes you. I can see the look of him in your face.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/you-come-back-a-changed-man-samuel-you-don-t-change-him-he-changes/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I find out of long experience that I admire all nations and hate all governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-find-out-of-long-experience-that-i-admire-all-nations-and-hate-all/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Who in his mind has not probe the dark water?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/who-in-his-mind-has-not-probe-the-dark-water/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/sometimes-a-lie-is-told-in-kindness-i-don-t-believe-it-ever-works/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [People like you to be something, preferably what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/people-like-you-to-be-something-preferably-what-they-are/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Suddenly he knew joy and sorrow felted into one fabric. Courage and fear were one thing too. He found that he had started to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/suddenly-he-knew-joy-and-sorrow-felted-into-one-fabric-courage-and/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I am writing this from what we Americans call Yurrp. In Yurrp writers are taken as seriously as Lana Turner's legs are in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-am-writing-this-from-what-we-americans-call-yurrp-in-yurrp-writers/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I write because I like to write. I find joy in the texture and tone and rhythm of words. It is a satisfaction like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-write-because-i-like-to-write-i-find-joy-in-the-texture-and-tone/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) [Explore all 1,589 John Steinbeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## More Handcuffs quotes > [Old Flossie settle down on the other side of What-the-Dickens and dragged some handiwork out of a sack. She armed herself with two thorns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/old-flossie-settle-down-on-the-other-side-of-what-the-dickens-and/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [You can put handcuffs on people who push the envelope. When they break the law, they deserve to have handcuffs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/you-can-put-handcuffs-on-people-who-push-the-envelope-when-they-break/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [“Nothing matters. That's the key to unlocking the handcuffs that keep us imprisoned in worry, self-doubt, fear and disbelief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srinivas-rao/nothing-matters-that-s-the-key-to-unlocking-the-handcuffs-that-keep/) [Srinivas Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srinivas-rao/) > [“We're enveloped in pitch black. "Wait here," I whisper. "Are you getting your ax?" "Handcuffs." "Kinky. But, okay, I'll try it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/we-re-enveloped-in-pitch-black-wait-here-i-whisper-are-you-getting/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“I hope you brought your handcuffs," she added. "I won't go quietly." "I might use them anyway, for fun," he answered, remembering the sensation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-snopek/i-hope-you-brought-your-handcuffs-she-added-i-won-t-go-quietly-i/) [Roxanne Snopek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxanne-snopek/) > [Whips and chains, handcuffs, smack a little body up with my belt. Scream, help play my game, dracula man, I'll get my fangs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludacris/whips-and-chains-handcuffs-smack-a-little-body-up-with-my-belt-scream/) [Ludacris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludacris/) > [I absolutely admit I had him in the handcuffs so he wouldn't go anywhere while I checked the computer... I certainly wasn't going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/i-absolutely-admit-i-had-him-in-the-handcuffs-so-he-wouldn-t-go/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) > [“Bout time," she huffed, but her voice sounded thick and emotional too."I was at the hospital all day yesterday, but they wouldn't let me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/bout-time-she-huffed-but-her-voice-sounded-thick-and-emotional-too-i/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [Christianity was created by some decadent and degenerated Romans as a tool of oppression, in the late Roman era, and it should be treated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/christianity-was-created-by-some-decadent-and-degenerated-romans-as-a/) [Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/) > [What exactly did you find in Atlanta?” Frank unzipped his backpack and started bringing out souvenirs. “Some peach preserves. A couple of T-shirts. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/what-exactly-did-you-find-in-atlanta-frank-unzipped-his-backpack-and/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“jangled. Would you look at that? A pair of open handcuffs dangled from my headboard. The key glistened on the bedside table, reflecting a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-m-reine/jangled-would-you-look-at-that-a-pair-of-open-handcuffs-dangled-from/) [S.M. Reine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-m-reine/) > [The only way to make real wealth is to get rid of your salary. In a salary, by definition, you are creating wealth for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/the-only-way-to-make-real-wealth-is-to-get-rid-of-your-salary-in-a/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [Who wants to be stuck in being religious and being spiritual either? That's not freedom. You've just exchanged handcuffs for leg irons - which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/who-wants-to-be-stuck-in-being-religious-and-being-spiritual-either/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Go after the illegal employers. No free stuff. Take the handcuffs off law enforcement. They'll go home! They'll self-deport! The problem today is they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-pearce/go-after-the-illegal-employers-no-free-stuff-take-the-handcuffs-off/) [Russell Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-pearce/) > [Frank held up the Chinese handcuffs. “Keep it simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-held-up-the-chinese-handcuffs-keep-it-simple/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) Browse all 94 Handcuffs quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Adam thought he had me. When I was hurt, all broken up, he took me in and he waited on me, cooked for me. He tried to tie me down that way. Most people get tied down that way. They’re grateful, they’re in debt, and that’s the worst kind of handcuffs. But nobody can hold me. I waited and waited until I was strong, and then I broke out. Nobody can trap me,” she said. “I knew what he was doing. I waited.” “I don’t hate you,” he said. “But I’m glad you’re afraid.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Steinbeck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-all-broken-up-he-took-me-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Handcuffs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-all-broken-up-he-took-me-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3c/john-steinbeck-71_handcuffs_adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-a_2885288.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3c/john-steinbeck-71_handcuffs_adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-a_2885288.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3c/john-steinbeck-71_handcuffs_adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-a_2885288.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Adam thought he had me. When I was hurt, all broken up, he took me in and he waited on me, cooked for me. He…” — John Steinbeck", "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 Steinbeck", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Adam thought he had me. When...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-all-broken-up-he-took-me-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/adam-thought-he-had-me-when-i-was-hurt-all-broken-up-he-took-me-in/#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 } } ] } ```