Final answer:
The passage from the Federalist Papers asserts the importance of checks and balances in the government to prevent abuse of power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote from the Federalist Papers highlights the need for a system of checks and balances within the government. This passage emphasizes that while a government must have the power to govern its people, it is equally critical to ensure that the government has mechanisms to restrain itself and prevent the abuse of power.
Hence, the quote refers to the need for both external and internal controls to maintain a balance between enabling the government to exercise control over the governed and obliging it to control itself.