I go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the…
“I go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and to the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed Constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Including a Bill of Rights could create loopholes that expand government power beyond its intended limits.
In simple terms: A Bill of Rights might enable power overreach.
Key Takeaway
Consider constitutional limits carefully.
Themes
politics
constitution
rights
power
Mood
analytical
historical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- drafting a constitution
- legislative debates
- civil liberties
Key Concepts
Legal theory
government authority
Questions to Reflect On
- Should rights be explicit or implicit?
- How to balance liberty and security?
A Different Perspective
Rights can protect citizens from abuse.