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.

Illustrated Quote

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

Some degree of abuse is inseparable from the proper use of every thing; and in no instance is this more true, than in that of the press. It has accordingly been decided by the practice of the States, that it is better to leave a few of its noxious branches to their luxuriant growth, than by pruning them away, to injure the vigor of those yielding the proper fruits.

James Madison

More information about this quote
Topic
Freedom of the press

Author

James Madison
Language
English
Time
1800 1800s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Madison, James. Report of 1800. Philadelphia, Jan. 1800.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "Report on the Alien and Sedition Acts, January 7, 1800." James Madison: Writings, edited by Jack Rakove. Library of America, 1999.

Another quote from the 1780s

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist 15

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Read Federalist No. 15 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Political theory Government Politics Human nature

Author

Alexander Hamilton
Source
Federalist 15 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. 15: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union." Independent Journal, 1 Dec. 1787.

Current Citation

Hamilton, Alexander. "No. 15: Its great defect: can only legislate for states.--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

It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is... If two laws conflict with each other, the Courts must decide on the operation of each... This is of the very essence of judicial duty.

John Marshall

Marbury v. Madison

Read this opinion at supreme.justia.com.
More information about this quote
Topic
Judicial supremacy Separation of powers Constitutional theory Legal theory

Author

John Marshall
Source
Marbury v. Madison
Medium
Supreme Court opinion Legal opinion
Genre
Legal writing
Language
English
Time
1803 1800s 19th century
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Marshall, John. United States, Supreme Court. Marbury v. Madison. United States Reports, vol. 5, 24 Feb. 1803, pp. 137-180. Justia, supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/5/137/.