Conform Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of man will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.”
About This Quote
Source The Federalist Papers, No. 84, 1786
Government exists to restrain human passions that otherwise clash with reason and justice.
In simple terms: Governments control unchecked passions.
Key Takeaway
Design institutions that balance passion and reason.
Themes
government
human nature
law
Mood
cautionary
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- judicial review
- public policy formation
- civic education
Key Concepts
political philosophy
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent tyranny?
- How do we balance liberty with order?
A Different Perspective
Over‑restriction can suppress beneficial freedoms.
![“[A]ll power is originally vested in, and consequently derived from, the people. That government is instituted and ought to be exercised for the benefit of the people; which consists in the enjoyment of life and liberty and the right of acquiring property, and generally of pursuing and obtaining…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a7/james-madison-373_adverse_a-ll-power-is-originally-vested-in-and-c_2491092.jpg)
![“[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)
![“[An engineer's] invention causes things to come into existence from ideas, makes world conform to thought; whereas science, by deriving ideas from observation, makes thought conform to existence.” quote by Carl Mitcham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/carl-mitcham-111336_accounts_an-engineer-s-invention-causes-things-to_37806.jpg)
