---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the first place, it is to be…"
description: "\"In the first place, it is to be remembered, that the general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws. Its..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/james-madison-373_certain_in-the-first-place-it-is-to-be-remembere_966147.jpg"
---

#  In the first place, it is to be remembered, that the…

![“In the first place, it is to be remembered, that the general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws. Its jurisdiction is limited to certain enumerated objects, which concern all the members of the republic, but which are not to be attained by the…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/james-madison-373_certain_in-the-first-place-it-is-to-be-remembere_966147.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/james-madison-373_certain_in-the-first-place-it-is-to-be-remembere_966147.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/james-madison-373_certain_in-the-first-place-it-is-to-be-remembere_966147.jpg)

> “In the first place, it is to be remembered, that the general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws. Its jurisdiction is limited to certain enumerated objects, which concern all the members of the republic, but which are not to be attained by the separate provisions of any.”

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Madison argues that government powers must be limited and defined, not all-encompassing.

**In simple terms:** Government power should be limited.

Key Takeaway

Check the scope of authority.

Themes

government law limits

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

political legal

When to use this quote

- legislative drafting
- policy analysis
- civic education
- judicial review

Key Concepts

constitutionalism separation of powers

Questions to Reflect On

- How do we ensure powers stay within limits?
- What mechanisms prevent overreach?

A Different Perspective

Power can be ambiguous without clear definitions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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