Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest…
““Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to controul the abuses of government. But what is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controuls on government would be necessary. 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 controul the governed; and in the next place oblige it to controul itself. A dependence on the people, is no doubt, the primary controul on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Government must balance self‑control with external checks, reflecting human nature’s need for both authority and accountability.
In simple terms: Governments need internal and external checks.
Key Takeaway
Design systems of mutual oversight.
Themes
power
accountability
human nature
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
political
theoretical
When to use this quote
- legislative bodies
- executive actions
- public policy
Key Concepts
checks and balances
constitutional design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure effective oversight?
- What limits prevent abuse without stifling action?
A Different Perspective
Too many checks can cause gridlock.