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James Madison Quotes - Page 12

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The most productive system of finance will always be the least burdensome.

The most productive system of finance will always be the least burdensome.

Taxation, Finance, Budgets

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Quentin P. Taylor, John Jay (1998). “The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers”, p.160, Rowman & Littlefield

It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society.

Religious, Believe, Men

James Madison, Ralph Ketcham “Selected Writings of James Madison”, Hackett Publishing

The belief in a God All Powerful wise and good, is so essential to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man, that arguments which enforce it cannot be drawn from too many sources nor adapted with too much solicitude to the different characters and capacities impressed with it.

God, Wise, Powerful

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.51, University of Virginia Press

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect.

Religious, Atheist, Secular Society

James Madison, Ralph Ketcham “Selected Writings of James Madison”, Hackett Publishing

... large and permanent military establishments ... are forbidden by the principles of free government, and against the necessity of which the militia were meant to be a constitutional bulwark.

Military, Government, President

It is sufficiently obvious, that persons and property are the two great subjects on which Governments are to act; and that the rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted. These rights cannot well be separated.

Rights, Government, Two

James Madison, Ralph Ketcham “Selected Writings of James Madison”, Hackett Publishing

[I]t is the reason alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government.

Government, Reason, Ought

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2003). “The Federalist Papers”, p.29, Penguin

War is in fact the true nurse of executive aggrandizement

War, Nurse, President

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.452

...several of the first presidents, including Jefferson and Madison, generally refused to issue public prayers, despite importunings to do so. Under pressure, Madison relented in the War Of 1812, but held to his belief that chaplains shouldn't be appointed to the military or be allowed to open Congress.

Prayer, Military, War

We are teaching the world the great truth that Governments do better without Kings & Nobles than with them.

Kings, Teaching, Government

James Madison (1867). “1816-1828”, p.276

How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments of every hostile nation?

War, Preparation, Establishment

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist: On the New Constitution, Written in 1788”, p.187

The invasion of private rights is chiefly to be apprehended, not from acts of Government contrary to the sense of its constituents, but from acts in which the Government is the mere instrument of the major number of the Constituents.

Rights, Government, Numbers

James Madison, Ralph Ketcham “Selected Writings of James Madison”, Hackett Publishing

Every answer he [President John Adams] gives to his addressers unmasks more and more his principles and views. His language to the young men at Philadelphia is the most abominable and degrading that could fall from the lips of the first magistrate of an independent people, and particularly from a Revolutionary patriot.

Fall, Independent, Men

Money cannot be applied to the *general welfare*, otherwise than by an application of it to some *particular* measure conducive to the general welfare. Whenever, therefore, money has been raised by the general authority, and is to be applied to a particular measure, a question arises whether the particular measure be within the enumerated authorities vested in Congress. If it be, the money requisite for it may be applied to it; if it be not, no such application can be made.

May, Welfare, Authority

James Madison (1974). “The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: As Recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia in 1787 ...”

It is too early for politicians to presume on our forgetting that the public good, the real welfare of the great body of the people, is the supreme object to be pursued; and that no form of government whatever has any other value than as it may be fitted for the attainment of this object.

Real, Government, People

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Quentin P. Taylor, John Jay (1998). “The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers”, p.64, Rowman & Littlefield

The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State governments, in times of peace and security.

War, Government, Important

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1831). “The Federalist on the New Constitution”, p.233

The defect of power in the existing confederacy, to regulate the commerce between its several members is in the number of those which have been clearly pointed out by experience . . . . A very material object of this power was the relief of the States which import and export through other States from the improper contributions levied on them by the latter.

Numbers, Relief, States

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1818). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788, by Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Madison, and Mr. Jay: with an Appendix, Containing the Letters of Pacificus and Helvidius, on the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793; Also, the Original Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States, with the Amendments Made Thereto”, p.265

The eyes of the world being thus on our Country, it is put the more on its good behavior, and under the greater obligation also, to do justice to the Tree of Liberty by an exhibition of the fine fruits we gather from it.

Country, Eye, Justice

James Madison (1867). “1816-1828”, p.473

In a free government the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights.

Religious, Rights, Government

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist: On the New Constitution, Written in 1788”, p.241

An oath-the strongest of religious ties.

Religious, Ties, Oath

James Madison (1867). “1769-1793”, p.352

Power is of an encroaching nature.

Church, States

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.228

What is here a right towards men, is a duty towards the Creator.

God, Men, Duty

James Madison, Virginia. General assembly, 1785 (1828). “A memorial and remonstrance, on the religious rights of man; written in 1784-5, at the request of the religious society of Baptists in Virginia. ...”, p.3

If slavery, as a national evil, is to be abolished, and it be just that it be done at the national expense, the amount of the expense is not a paramount consideration.

Evil, Done, Slavery

James Madison (1867). “1816-1828”, p.135

I consider the difference between a system founded on the legislatures only, and one founded on the people, to be the true difference between a league or treaty and a constitution.

Differences, People, League

James Madison (1836). “The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: As Recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia, in 1787. Together with the Journal of the Federal Convention, Luther Martin's Letter, Yate's Minutes, Congressional Opinions, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of '98-'99, and Other Illustrations of the Constitution”

A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.

Communication, Men, Liberty

James Madison (1867). “1829-1836”, p.478

Born: March 16, 1751 - June 28, 1836
Occupation: 4th U.S. President

Quotes: 548

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