--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is one thing to be subordinate to the…" description: "\"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 la..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.jpg" --- # It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another… ![“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/i/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.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.” [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being subject to laws is proper; being dependent on the legislature violates good government principles, concentrating power. **In simple terms:** Obey laws; avoid legislative dependence to prevent power concentration. Key Takeaway Separate executive from legislative control. Themes separation of powers government law Mood serious analytical Type educational political When to use this quote - policy drafting - civic education - legal reform Key Concepts constitutional theory political philosophy Practical Applications - Establish checks and balances - Educate citizens on governance Questions to Reflect On - How does power concentration affect liberty? - What safeguards ensure balanced government? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Constitution Unites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution-unites-1485929/) [Dependent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependent/) [Dependent Legislative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependent-legislative-1485927/) [Executives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executives/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Fundamental principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamental-principles/) [Fundamentals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentals/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Legislative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legislative/) [Legislative Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legislative-body-512161/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [One thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-thing/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Separation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation/) [Separation of powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-of-powers/) [Subordinate Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subordinate-laws-1485928/) [Subordinates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subordinates/) ## Related quotes > [If it be said that the legislative body are themselves the constitutional judges of their own powers, and that the construction they put upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/if-it-be-said-that-the-legislative-body-are-themselves-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [But as the plan of the convention aims only at a partial union or consolidation, the State governments would clearly retain all the rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/but-as-the-plan-of-the-convention-aims-only-at-a-partial-union-or/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [There are men who could neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of their duty; but this stern virtue is the growth of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-are-men-who-could-neither-be-distressed-nor-won-into-a/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The same rule that teaches the propriety of a partition between the various branches of power, teaches us likewise that this partition ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-same-rule-that-teaches-the-propriety-of-a-partition-between-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Good constitutions are formed upon a comparison of the liberty of the individual with the strength of government: If the tone of either be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/good-constitutions-are-formed-upon-a-comparison-of-the-liberty-of-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The parliament is the supreme decision-making and legislative body in any democracy. 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