Authority Quote by James Madison
“Who does not see that . . . the same authority which can force a citizen to contribute three pence only of his property for the support of any one establishment, may force him to conform to any other establishment in all cases whatsoever?”
About This Quote
Source Federalist Papers, No. 10, 1787
Citizens can be compelled to fund one institution, yet may be forced to conform to any other, highlighting the danger of unchecked authority.
In simple terms: Authority can force funding and conformity across institutions.
Key Takeaway
Guard against overreaching governmental power.
Themes
politics
authority
citizen rights
taxation
conformity
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
political
constitutional
When to use this quote
- Voting decisions
- tax policy debates
- civil rights activism
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Federalist theory
civil liberty
governmental limits
Questions to Reflect On
- How does compulsory funding affect freedom?
- What limits should exist on governmental authority?
A Different Perspective
May ignore nuances of historical context.
![“It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country its truest and most durable celebrity.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/964/james-madison-373_certain_it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-intere_22217.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)