Quote#World
In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men,…
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)
In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.
— James Madison
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