American law Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“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if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man, who knows what the law is to-day, can guess what it will be tomorrow.”
About This Quote
Complex, ever‑changing laws undermine democratic legitimacy because citizens cannot understand or anticipate them.
In simple terms: Law must be clear and stable to be effective.
Key Takeaway
Opacity erodes public trust.
Themes
democracy
legislative clarity
rule of law
political accountability
citizen empowerment
Mood
concerned
critical
reflective
Type
maxim
politaphorical
advice
When to use this quote
- drafting statutes
- public policy debates
- civic education
- judicial review
- media analysis
Key Concepts
legislation
transparency
predictability
governance
Practical Applications
- simplify legal language
- establish stable codification processes
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance necessary legal evolution with stability?
- What mechanisms ensure laws remain comprehensible?
![“[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)
