Man, fearfully and wonderfully made, is the workmanship of his all perfect Creator: A State; useful and valuable as the contrivance is, is the inferior contrivance of man; and from his native dignity derives all its acquired importance.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Man is made by God and has dignity. A state is a useful tool made by man and derives importance from man's dignity.
- In plain terms
- People have natural dignity from God. States are human tools that get value from people.
- What can you take from it?
- Human dignity outweighs state power.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where does state authority come from?
- Is human dignity inherent or granted?
Another view
Some political theories argue the state has independent authority.
More from James Wilson
To the Constitution of the United States the term SOVEREIGN, is totally unknown.
Permalink to quote #1 Let a state be considered as subordinate to the people: But let everything else be subordinate to the state.
Permalink to quote #3 By a State I mean, a complete body of free persons united together for their common benefit, to enjoy peaceably what is their own, and to do justice to others.
Permalink to quote #4
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