"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself"

This quote by Alexander Hamilton highlights the obstacle of creating an effective federal government. He acknowledges that the federal government is comprised of individuals who are imperfect and prone to corruption. Therefore, the primary difficulty lies in discovering a way to offer the federal government the power to govern its residents, while likewise making sure that it stays accountable and does not abuse its authority. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of establishing checks and balances within the federal government to avoid it from becoming too powerful and oppressive. This quote acts as a reminder that a well-functioning government requires both the ability to govern and the desire to self-regulate.