If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.What did he mean by this? Did he mean that we are beasts? Did he mean that we are cursed with original sin? Such is sometimes argued.
Or did he just mean we have the *capability* of doing the wrong thing? Maybe because we have free will?
Angels seem stuck on "rejoice"
but humans have a choice.
3 comments:
That widely repeated quote of Madison's always struck me as ignorant to the point of embarrassment. It was as if he had no knowledge of accidental harms or accidental conversions of property. I mean it sounded as if he thought all conflicts that come to the bar are a matter someone's moral failing.
Stephen Boydstun
I wonder if he was also thinking of another angelic attribute - vastly superior intellect.
http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1058.htm#article5
Yes, that could be. I see from Article XII “Do angels know the future?” under Question 8: The Knowledge of Angels in Truth by Thomas that angels are pretty good on their knowledge of the future, but not all angels are equally adept in predictions. So you have to be careful which one you hire.
http://dhspriory.org/thomas/QDdeVer8.htm
SB
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