Tag Archives: Power

Lessons From Alcestis

Lessons From Alcestisby Michael DoyleAlcestis was the fairest of daughtersMuch beloved by Pelias, her fatherSo too loved by her husband, AdmetusAnd of her son, the warrior EumelusFearing that death might come to soonMade Admetus err in bringing love to ruinFor … Continue reading

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First Principles: A Free Government, Which of All Others Is Far Most Preferable, Cannot Be Supported Without Virtue

“In a despotic government, the only principle by which the tyrant who is to move the whole machine means to regulate and manage the people is fear, by the servile dread of his power. But a free government, which of … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Essence of Government Is Power, Lodged As It Must In Human Hands, Will Ever Be Liable To Abuse

“The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.” – James Madison (1829)

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First Principles: All Men Having Power Ought To Be Distrusted To A Certain Degree

“All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.” – James Madison (1787)

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Thought For the Day: An Unlimited Power To Tax Involves, Necessarily, A Power To Destroy; Because There Is A Limit Beyond Which No Institution and No Property Can Bear Taxation

“An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation.” – John Marshall, 1819

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First Principles: There Are More Instances of the Abridgment of the Freedom of the People By Gradual and Silent Encroachments of Those In Power Than By Violent and Sudden Usurpations

“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” – James Madison, speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788

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First Principles: I Know No Safe Depository of the Ultimate Powers of the Society But The People Themselves

“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from … Continue reading

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First Principles: There Are More Instances of the Abridgement of the Freedom of the People By Gradual and Silent Encroachment of Those In Power Than by Violent and Sudden Usurpations

“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the People by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” – James Madison

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First Principles: A Popular Government, Without Popular Information, Or the Means of Acquiring It, Is But A Prologue to A Farce Or A Tragedy; Or, Perhaps Both

“A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, … Continue reading

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A Tale of Two Kings

A Tale of Two Kingsby Michael DoyleWatching as our days unfoldInto the stories yet untoldLife is a gift for us to liveIn taking less than we have to giveLet’s not let the Grinch steal ChristmasNo snarling sneer will stop this … Continue reading

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