[E]very act of a delegated authority, contrary to the…
![“[E]very act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above…” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/156/alexander-hamilton-619_acting_e-very-act-of-a-delegated-authority-cont_1212377.jpg)
“[E]very act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above his master; that the representatives of the people are superior to the people themselves; that men acting by virtue of powers, may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Hamilton argues that any act exceeding the authority granted by the constitution is invalid, emphasizing that representatives cannot surpass the people’s power.
In simple terms: Exceeding legal authority makes actions void.
Key Takeaway
Respect constitutional limits.
Themes
law
authority
constitution
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
legal
political
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- judicial review
- government oversight
Key Concepts
separation of powers
representative limits
Questions to Reflect On
- When should officials act beyond strict authority?
- How to balance power and adaptability?
A Different Perspective
Rigid limits may hinder necessary flexibility.