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if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man, who knows what the law is today, can guess what it will be to-morrow.””
This quote is also attributed to Alexander Hamilton 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, unreadable laws undermine democracy; frequent changes prevent citizens from understanding legal obligations.
In simple terms: Laws must be clear and stable for people to follow.
Key Takeaway
Simplify and stabilize legislation.
Themes
law
democracy
citizen rights
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Legislative drafting
- policy reform
- civic education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Legal clarity
government accountability
public understanding
Questions to Reflect On
- What balance should be struck between clarity and detail?
- How can laws stay relevant without frequent overhaul?
A Different Perspective
Over‑simplification may ignore necessary nuance.