He was able to avoid what would 've been a treacherous war with France, work to his own accord when surround by a cabinet that barley supported him, and some of Adams ' decisions made way for some things much more than what people though they would turn out to be. Indeed Adams was at times rather vain and arrogant, he even said so himself ("Thanks be to God, that he gave me Stubborness, when I know I am right") (McCullough, 272) and wanted the recognition that instead Washington and Jefferson received instead, but truly, for as much as those two men did, Adams truly did more than he is accounted for. Sometimes when no one dared to speak and put a foot forward themselves, it was John Adams who took the initiative to get the work done. One quote, that could, very easily, summon up John Adams ' time in office, and even for a huge portion of his life was said by himself, “Always stand on principle….even if you stand…