Acquire Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“If we set out with... a scrupulous regard to the Constitution, the government will acquire a spirit and a tone productive of permanent blessings to the community. If on the contrary,... the Constitution is slighted, or explained away, upon every frivolous pretext, the future of government will be feeble, distracted and arbitrary. The rights of the subjects will be the sport of every party vicissitude. There will be no settled rule of conduct, but everything will fluctuate with the alternate prevalency of contending factions.”
About This Quote
Source Founding Document: The Federalist Papers, No. 78, 1788
Respecting the Constitution ensures stable, principled governance; ignoring it leads to arbitrary rule and vulnerable rights.
In simple terms: Upholding the Constitution protects society.
Key Takeaway
Honor the rule of law.
Themes
law
government
constitution
rights
stability
Mood
serious
concerned
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- judicial review
- public policy debates
- citizen education
Key Concepts
political theory
civic duty
legal foundations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance flexibility and constitutional fidelity?
- What mechanisms prevent constitutional erosion?
A Different Perspective
Constitutional interpretation can be contested, causing political deadlock.
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![“[W]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say whether the Nation shall of choice dismiss the olive branch and unfurl the banners of War.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bd8/alexander-hamilton-619_banner_w-ar-is-a-question-under-our-constitutio_33383.jpg)
![“It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another [for the Executive] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first comports with, the last violates, the fundamental principles of good government; and, whatever may be the forms of the Constitution, unites all power in the same hands.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
