Advantage Quote by William Jennings Bryan
“A corporation has no rights except those given it by law. It can exercise no power except that conferred upon it by the people through legislation, and the people should be as free to withhold as to give, public interest and not private advantage being the end in view.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political Address, 1900s, United States
Corporations are legal constructs whose powers stem from legislation; they should serve public interest, not private gain.
In simple terms: Corporations exist only by law and must serve the public.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for strong regulatory oversight.
Themes
law
economics
public policy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- legislative hearings
- corporate governance
- public advocacy
Key Concepts
corporate personhood
legislative authority
public interest
Questions to Reflect On
- Should corporations have more rights?
- How to ensure public interest prevails?
A Different Perspective
Balancing economic growth with regulation is complex.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
