“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” —Joseph Story (1833)

You may read this text online at http://www.constitution.org/js/js_000.htm

Alternatively, this and other resources to assist in understanding the Constitution may be found by doing a search for these after clicking the Amazon.com button at the bottom of this page.