[E]very act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above his master; that the representatives of the people are superior to the people themselves; that men acting by virtue of powers, may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that any authority must operate within the limits set by the Constitution and cannot exceed those limits.
Alexander Hamilton's quote speaks to the fundamental principle of governance that authority derives from a higher law, specifically the Constitution. It asserts that any action taken by those in power that contradicts the limitations of their authority is inherently invalid. This underscores the essential democratic principle that representatives and officials, while wielding power, must remain accountable to the will of the people and cannot overstep their designated roles.
In practice
During a debate on constitutional rights, you can use this quote to emphasize the importance of adhering to legal limitations.
When men, engaged in unjustifiable pursuits, are aware that obstructions may come from a quarter which bare apprehension of opposition from doing what they would with eagerness rush into if no such external impediments were to be feared.
The tendency of a national bank is to increase public and private credit. The former gives power to the state, for the protection of its rights and interests: and the latter facilitates and extends the operations of commerce among individuals. Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state.
It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.
The Achaeans soon experienced, as often happens, that a victorious and powerful ally is but another name for a master.
The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge right or make good decision.
The true principle of a republic is that the people should choose whom they please to govern them. Representation is imperfect, in proportion as the current of popular favor is checked. The great source of free government, popular election, should be perfectly pure, and the most unbounded liberty allowed.
Every object you see before you at this moment -the walls, ceiling, and furniture, the book, your own washed hands and cut fingernails, bears witness to the colonization of Nature of Reason.
People only say I'm angry because I'm black and I'm a woman. But all sorts of people write with strong feeling, the way I do.
When you realize the value of all life, you dwell on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future.
May we give as the Savior gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift. We give as a remembrance of all the Savior has given.
While a modicum of consciousness may have had survivalist properties during an immemorial chapter of our evolution β so one theory goes β this faculty soon enough became a seditious agent working against us β¦ we need to hamper our consciousness for all we are worth or it will impose upon us a too clear vision of what we do not want to see β¦ Consciousness has forced us into the paradoxical position of striving to be unself-conscious of what we are β hunks of spoiling flesh on disintegrating bones
This was not guilt: guilt is what you feel when you have done something wrong. What I felt was shame: I was what was wrong.
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