---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The smaller the number and the more…"
description: "\"The smaller the number and the more permanent and conspicuous the station of men in power, the stronger must be the interest which they will individual..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/james-madison-373_concern_the-smaller-the-number-and-the-more-perm_952194.jpg"
---

#  The smaller the number and the more permanent and…

![“The smaller the number and the more permanent and conspicuous the station of men in power, the stronger must be the interest which they will individually feel in whatever concerns the government.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/james-madison-373_concern_the-smaller-the-number-and-the-more-perm_952194.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/james-madison-373_concern_the-smaller-the-number-and-the-more-perm_952194.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/james-madison-373_concern_the-smaller-the-number-and-the-more-perm_952194.jpg)

> “The smaller the number and the more permanent and conspicuous the station of men in power, the stronger must be the interest which they will individually feel in whatever concerns the government.”

[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.

Few powerful individuals concentrate interest, intensifying personal stakes in government matters.

**In simple terms:** Few leaders amplify personal interest.

Key Takeaway

Guard against concentrated power.

Themes

politics power interest

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- elections
- policy making
- activism

Key Concepts

political theory governance

Questions to Reflect On

- How does concentration of power affect democracy?
- What safeguards can limit personal interest in governance?

A Different Perspective

Power can be resisted by collective action.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/)

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