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Quote#Politics & Power

The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional…

Quote byJames Madison · 1751–1836

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Federalist Papers (1787–1788), Federalist No. 51 (6 February 1788).

English (original)

The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. 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?

— James Madison

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