It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws…
“It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man, who knows what the law is to-day, can guess what it will be tomorrow.”
This quote is also attributed to James Madison in other sources. Attributions for famous quotes are often disputed.
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Complex, ever‑changing laws undermine democratic legitimacy because citizens cannot understand or anticipate them.
In simple terms: Law must be clear and stable to be effective.
Key Takeaway
Opacity erodes public trust.
Themes
democracy
legislative clarity
rule of law
political accountability
citizen empowerment
Mood
concerned
critical
reflective
Type
maxim
politaphorical
advice
When to use this quote
- drafting statutes
- public policy debates
- civic education
- judicial review
- media analysis
Key Concepts
legislation
transparency
predictability
governance
Practical Applications
- simplify legal language
- establish stable codification processes
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance necessary legal evolution with stability?
- What mechanisms ensure laws remain comprehensible?