… the senate, who will merely sanction the choice of the executive, should feel a bypass towards the objects of that choice, strong enough to blind them to the evidences of guilt so extraordinary as to have induced the representatives of the nation to become its accusers.

Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 66

The operations of the Federal Government will be the most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State Governments, in times of peace and security.

James Madison in Federalist No. 45

In the general course of human nature, a power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will.

Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 79

A bad cause seldom fails to betray itself.

James Madison in Federalist No. 41

The mere necessity of uniformity in the interpretation of the national laws decides the question. Thirteen independent courts of final jurisdiction over the same causes, arising upon the same laws, is a hydra in government, from which nothing but contradiction and confusion can proceed.

Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 80

The history of almost all the great councils and consultations, held among mankind for reconciling their discordant opinions, assuaging their mutual jealousies, and adjusting their respective interests, is a history of factions, contentions, and disappointments; and may be classed among the most dark and degrading pictures which display the infirmities and depravities of the human character.

James Madison in Federalist No. 37

An avaricious man, who might happen to fill the offices, looking forward to a time when he must at all events yield up the emoluments he enjoyed, would feel the propensity, not easy to be resisted by such a man, to make the best use of the opportunities he enjoyed, while it lasted; and might not scruple to have recourse to the most corrupt expedients to make the harvest as abundant as it was transitory; though the same man probably, with a different prospect before him, might content himself with the regular perquisites of his station, and might even be unwilling to risk the consequences of an abuse of his opportunities. His avarice might be a guard upon his avarice. Add to this, that same man might be vain or ambitious as well as avaricious.

Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 72

But cool and candid people will at once reflect, that the purest of human blessings must have a portion of alloy in them, that the choice must always be made, if not of the lesser evil, at least the GREATER, not the PERFECT good; and that in every political institution, a power to advance the public happiness, involves a discretion which may be misapplied and abused.

James Madison in Federalist No. 41

A LAW by the very meaning of the term includes supremacy. It is a rule which those to whom it is prescribed are bound to observe.

Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 33

No man is allowed to be the judge of his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity.    

James Madison in Federalist No. 10