Adverts Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“It will be well to advert to the proportion between the objects that will require a federal provision in respect to revenue; and those which will require a state provision. We shall discover that the former are altogether unlimited; and that the latter are circumscribed within very moderate bounds.”
About This Quote
Source Report: The Federalist Papers, No. 30, 1787
Federal government handles unlimited revenue needs; state governments manage limited, moderate needs, highlighting division of fiscal responsibilities.
In simple terms: Federal handles big money; states handle smaller budgets.
Recognize the scale of federal vs. state fiscal duties.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- tax policy design
- budget planning
- intergovernmental negotiations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How should fiscal responsibilities be balanced?
- What are the risks of over‑centralizing revenue?
State limitations can hinder local needs despite federal capacity.