Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hamilton argues government exists to control human passions that defy reason and justice.
- In plain terms
- Government is needed to restrain human passions.
- What can you take from it?
- Rules exist to manage human impulses.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we need rules?
- Can reason govern alone?
Another view
Government itself can become driven by passion.
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