If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If…
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls 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 control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control 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 be controlled by the people and also self‑regulating; both external and internal checks are needed.
In simple terms: Power needs oversight from citizens and itself.
Key Takeaway
Build balanced institutions.
Themes
government
checks and balances
citizen oversight
self‑regulation
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislation
- public policy
- corporate governance
- non‑profit management
Key Concepts
political theory
constitutional design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure accountability without paralysis?
- What mechanisms best prevent abuse?
A Different Perspective
Too many safeguards can cause gridlock.