Alexander Hamilton and James Madison
The Federalist Quotes
Read each quote carefully and paraphrase it in your own words below.
1. "A government ought to contain in itself every power requisite to the full accomplishment of the
objects committed to its care, and to the complete execution of the trusts for which it is responsible,
free from every other control but a regard to the public good and to the sense of the people." -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 31
2. "It is a just observation that the people commonly intend the Public Good. This often applies to
their very errors. But their good sense would despise the adulator who should pretend they always
reason right about the means of promoting it." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #71
3. "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and
defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite." --James
Madison, Federalist No. 45
4. "The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess
most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society; and in the
next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to
hold their public trust." --Alexander Hamilton or James Madison, Federalist No. 57
5. "Thus, each of the principal branches of the federal government will owe its existence more or less
to the favor of the State governments, and must consequently feel a dependence, which is much
more likely to beget a disposition too obsequious than too overbearing towards them." -- Madison,
Federalist No. 45