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Quote#Nature

It is the nature and intention of a constitution to prevent governing…

Quote byThomas Paine · 1737–1809

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: First Principles of Government (1795).

English (original)

It is the nature and intention of a constitution to prevent governing by party, by establishing a common principle that shall limit and control the power and impulse of party, and that says to all parties, thus far shalt thou go and no further. But in the absence of a constitution, men look entirely to party; and instead of principle governing party, party governs principle.

— Thomas Paine

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