“But what is Government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?”

— James Madison

Federalist No. 51 (6 February 1788)
1780s, Federalist Papers (1787–1788)
Context: The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of Government. But what is Government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?

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James Madison 145

4th president of the United States (1809 to 1817) 1751–1836

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