All past governments degenerated and abused the powers…
““All past governments degenerated and abused the powers given to them: Why would the proposed Congress be better than “myriads of publick bodies who have gone before them? It would be safer to give congress a more limited grant of revenue “adequate to all necessary purposes,” and no more. “As the poverty of individuals prevents luxury,” Symmes said, “so the poverty of publick bodies … prevents tyranny. A nation cannot, perhaps, do a more politick thing, than to supply the purse of its sovereign with that parsimony, which results from a sense of the labor it costs” William Symmes, 1787 From Pauline Maier's book Ratification””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Symmes argues that limiting congressional revenue prevents tyranny and promotes fiscal restraint, suggesting a leaner government is safer.
In simple terms: Limited funding can curb government overreach and tyranny.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for tighter fiscal limits on government spending.
Themes
politics
government
fiscal policy
taxation
tyranny
Mood
cautious
analytical
critical
Type
Congress:1
Politics:1
Proposed Congress:1
Congress Better:0
Safer Congress:0
Purposes Poverty:0
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- legislative reform
- public accountability
- tax policy
- budgetary oversight
Key Concepts
public finance
parsimony
political theory
constitutional design
Questions to Reflect On
- What essential services might suffer from strict budget limits?
- How can we balance fiscal restraint with public needs?
A Different Perspective
Too much focus on revenue may ignore essential public services.