Quotes

Articles of Confederation

Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not … expressly delegated to he United States…

Articles of Confederation (Amending)

…nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made [to this document]; unless such alteration be agreed to in a Congress of the United States, and be afterwords confirmed by the legislatures of every state.

Federalist No. 10 (Thesis)

Among the numerous advantages promised by a well constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction.

Federalist No. 10 (Solution)

…it clearly appears that the same advantage which a republic has over a democracy, in controlling the effects of faction, is enjoyed by a large over a small republic,--is enjoyed by the Union over the States composing it.

Brutus No. 1, 1787 (Thesis)

If respect is to be paid to the opinion of the greatest and wisest men who have ever thought or wrote on the science of government, we shall be constrained to conclude, that a free republic cannot succeed over a country of such immense extent, containing such a number of inhabitants, and these increasing in such rapid progression as that of the whole United States.

Brutus No. 1, 1787 (Argument against the Constitution)

The different parts of so extensive a country could not possibly be made acquainted with the conduct of their representatives, nor be informed of the reasons upon which [laws] were founded. The consequence will be, they will have no confidence in their legislature…

Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963 (on legal discrimination)

An unjust law is a code that a majority inflicts on a minority that is not binding on itself. This is difference made legal. … Can any law set up in such a state be considered democratically structured?

Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963 (on the legally marginalized)

Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. … If [their] repressed emotions do not come out in these non violent ways, they will come out in ominous expressions of violence. This is not a threat; it is a fact of history.

Federalist No. 51 (The goal of republican government)

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. … 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."

Federalist No. 51 (federalism)

In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments.

Federalist No. 70 (Thesis)

Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. … A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of government.

Federalist No. 70 (structure of the branch)

Whenever two or more persons are engaged in any common enterprise or pursuit, there is always danger of difference of opinion. … Whenever these happen, they lessen the respectability, weaken the authority, and distract the plans and operation of those whom they divide.

Federalist No. 78 (Thesis)

The standard of good behavior for the continuance in office … is certainly one of the most valuable of the modern improvements in the practice of government. … It is the best expedient which can be devised in any government, to secure a steady, upright, and impartial administration of the laws.

Federalist No. 78 (Qualities of the candidates)

Hence it is, that there can be but few men in the society who will have sufficient skill in the laws to qualify them for the [position]. And making the proper deductions for the ordinary depravity of human nature, the number must be still smaller of those who unite the requisite integrity with the requisite knowledge.

Declaration of Independence (fundamental truths)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…

Declaration of Independence (purpose and execution)

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States…

The Constitution

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.