The Federalist Papers
"The Federalist Papers" is a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, advocating for the ratification of the United States Constitution. The essays discuss the principles of republican government, the necessity of a strong central authority, and the importance of checks and balances to prevent tyranny. Together, they provide a foundational argument for the structure and function of the new government, highlighting the importance of federalism in maintaining liberty and justice.
10 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Federalist Papers, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
If men were angels, no government would be necessary.
The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.
It is essential to the preservation of the rights of the people that they should be able to change their government when it becomes destructive.
The strongest man is he who is able to conquer himself.
In a free government, the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights.
The people are the ultimate source of political power.
Liberty requires a great deal of vigilance to maintain.
Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society.