It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.

James Madison

Federalist 62

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More information about this quote

Topic

Legal theory

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 62 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1788 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 62: The Senate." Independent Journal, 27 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 62: Qualifications of members; election; equal representation; size and duration in office." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

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A quote by James Madison about legal theory: “It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made…”
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A quote by James Madison about legal theory: “It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made…”
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A quote by James Madison about legal theory: “It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by James Madison

It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

James Madison

Federalist 51

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Read Federalist No. 51 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Political theory Politics Government Human nature

Author

James Madison
Source
Federalist 51 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1788 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 51, The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." New York Packet, 8 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 51: How to maintain: make the parts check each other. Also, a federal system divides power further.--Madison (or Hamilton)." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Another quote from the 1780s

Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist 1

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Read Federalist No. 1 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Populism Demagoguery Tyranny Decline of democracy Politics

Author

Alexander Hamilton
Source
Federalist 1 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1787 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Hamilton, Alexander [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 1: General Introduction." Independent Journal, 27 Oct. 1787.

Current Citation

Hamilton, Alexander. "No. I: Deliberation on a new constitution--Hamilton." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Another quote about Legal theory

They are not included, and were not intended to be included, under the word "citizens" in the Constitution, and can therefore claim none of the rights and privileges which that instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the United States.

Roger B. Taney

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Read this opinion at supreme.justia.com.
More information about this quote
Topic
Black Americans Citizenship Constitutional law Legal theory

Author

Roger B. Taney
Source
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Medium
Supreme Court opinion Legal opinion
Genre
Legal writing
Language
English
Time
1857 1850s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Taney, Roger B. United States, Supreme Court. Dred Scott v. Sandford. United States Reports, vol. 60, 6 Mar. 1857, pp. 393-633. Justia, supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/60/393/.