Features of the American System of Government that

Protects Against the Evil Side of People

Protective Barrier Number 1A/1B:

Evil Side of People/The Law of Nature

Activity 2: The Evil Side of People; the Law of Nature Establishes a Clear Definition of
Right and Wrong

“It is always to the advantage of the wealthy to deny general conceptions of right and wrong”
(Hilaire Belloc, Europe and the Faith, 1920).

A. Based on these statements, what are people like? Why does this make it difficult for
people to obtain the goal of human life?

 “What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men
were angels, no government would be necessary” (James Madison, Federalist 51,
February 6, 1788).

 “Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not
conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint” (Alexander Hamilton,
Federalist 15, December 1, 1787).

B. Based on this statement, what is the law of nature? How does it make it possible for
people to achieve the goal of human life?

“The supreme being gave existence to man, together with the means of preserving and beatifying
that existence. He endowed him with rational faculties, by the help of which, to discern and
pursue such things, as were consistent with his duty and interest, and invested him with an
inviolable right to personal liberty, and personal safety. Hence, in a state of nature, no man had
any moral power to deprive another of his life, limbs, property or liberty” (Alexander Hamilton,
“The Farmer Refuted,” February 23, 1775).

C. Based on this statement, what is the law of nature? How does it protect people from the
evil side of people?

“There is a supreme intelligence, who rules the world, and has established laws to regulate the
actions of his creatures.... The deity, from the relations, we stand in, to himself and to each
other, has constituted an eternal and immutable law, which is, indispensably, obligatory upon all
mankind, prior to any human institution whatever. This is what is called the law of nature….
Upon this law, depend the natural rights of mankind.” (Alexander Hamilton, “The Farmer
Refuted,” February 23, 1775).
D. Based on this statement, what is the law of nature? How does it make it possible for
people to achieve the goal of human life?

“This law of nature, being coeval with mankind, and dictated by God himself, is, of course,
superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all
times. No human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this; and such of them as are valid,
derive all their authority, mediately, or immediately, from this original…. The principal aim of
society is to protect individuals in the enjoyment of those absolute rights, which were vested in
them by the immutable laws of nature” (William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Law of
England, Vol. 1, Introduction, Sec. 2 and Vol. 1, Ch. 2, quoted by Alexander Hamilton in “The
Farmer Refuted,” February 23, 1775).