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James Madison Quotes - Page 15

All Quotes Abuse Age Ambition Army Art Atheism Atheist Authority Character Charity Choices Church Communication Community Conscience Constitution Corruption Country Democracy Devotion Diversity Doubt Duty Economy Education Energy Evil Exercise Failing Freedom Freedom Of Religion Freedom Of Speech Giving God Heart Home Honor House Human Nature Humanity Ignorance Independence Injustice Inspirational Judging Justice Liberty Loss Lying Military Office Opportunity Oppression Passion Past Patriotism Peace Politics Power Preparation Pride Progress Property Purpose Reflection Regret Religion Sacrifice Safety Second Amendment Separation Slavery Socialism Temptation Tyranny Violence Voting War Welfare Wisdom

At cheaper and nearer seats of Learning parents with slender incomes may place their sons in a course of education putting them on a level with the sons of the Richest.

At cheaper and nearer seats of Learning parents with slender incomes may place their sons in a course of education putting them on a level with the sons of the Richest.

Education, Son, Parent

James Madison (1867). “1816-1828”, p.278

If men were angels, there would be no need of government.

Angel, Men, Would Be

[Exchange] the galling burden of bachelorship for the easy yoke of matrimony.

Marriage, Advice, Yoke

James Madison (1867). “1816-1828”, p.568

What is the structure of government that will best guard against the precipitate counsels and factious combinations for unjust purposes, without a sacrifice of the fundamental principle of republicanism?

Sacrifice, Government, Principles

The necessity of a senate is not less indicated by the propensity of all single and numerous assemblies, to yield to the impulse of sudden and violent passions, and to be seduced by factious leaders, into intemperate and pernicious resolutions.

Passion, Yield, Leader

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2007). “The Federalist Papers”, p.474, Filiquarian Publishing, LLC.

A distinction of property results from that very protection which a free Government gives to unequal faculties of acquiring it.

Government, Giving, Protection

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

In this relation, then, the proposed government cannot be deemed a national one; since its jurisdiction extends to certain enumerated objects only, and leaves to the several states, a residuary and inviolable sovereignty over all other objects.

Government, Nullification, Federalism

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.178

There is not a shadow of right in the general government to intermingle with religion. Its least interference with it would be a most flagrant usurpation.

Government, Religion, Shadow

In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the meaning of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and morals, engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

War, Opportunity, Office

"Political Observations" by James Madison, founders.archives.gov. April 20, 1795.

The danger of disturbing the public tranquillity by interesting too strongly the public passions, is a still more serious objection against a frequent reference of constitutional questions to the decision of the whole society.

Passion, Interesting, Decision

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.248, Coventry House Publishing

[T]he delegation of the government, in [a republic], to a small number of citizens elected by the rest . . . [is] to refine and enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations.

Country, Sacrifice, Small Numbers

In contemplating the pecuniary resources needed for the removal of such a number to so great a distance [freed slaves to Africa], my thoughts and hopes have long been turned to the rich fund presented in the western lands of the nation . . .

Distance, Land, Numbers

A victorious and powerful ally is but another name for a master.

Powerful, Government, Names

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist: On the New Constitution, Written in 1788”, p.83

In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by Power. In America ... charters of power [are] granted by liberty.

Government, Europe, America

I love the summer.... the warm weather, hangin out with friends, and swimmin in the warm water..... but most importantly grabin a glove and a ball and playin some softball in the heat.

Summer, Softball, Weather

To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.

Errors, Media, Humanity

James Madison, Thomas Jefferson (1826). “Resolutions of Virginia and Kentucky”, p.51

A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as would provide for the permanent liberty and happiness of the United States.

Political, Liberty, United States

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

The internal effects of a mutable policy are still more calamitous. It poisons the blessings of liberty itself.

Blessing, Liberty, Poison

"The Federalist on the New Constitution".

May it not be asked of every intelligent friend to the liberties of his country, whether the power exercised in such an act as this ought not to produce great and universal alarm? Whether a rigid execution of such an act, in time past, would not have repressed that information and communication among the people which is indispensable to the just exercise of their electoral rights? And whether such an act, if made perpetual, and enforced with rigor, would not, in time to come, either destroy our free system of government, or prepare a convulsion that might prove equally fatal to it?

Country, Communication, Exercise

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, Yates's Minutes, Congressional Opinions, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of '98-'99, and Other Illustrations of the Constitution”, p.574

I own myself the friend to a very free system of commerce, and hold it as a truth, that commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive and impolitic - it is also a truth, that if industry and labour are left to take their own course, they will generally be directed to those objects which are the most productive, and this in a more certain and direct manner than the wisdom of the most enlightened legislature could point out.

Unjust, Enlightened, Legislature

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.21, University of Virginia Press

We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no man's right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society, and that Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance.

Men, Matter, Institutions

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.4

The rights of man as the foundation of just Government had been long understood but the superstructures projected had been sadly defective

Men, Rights, Long

James Madison (1867). “1829-1836”, p.58

I own myself the friend to a very free system of commerce, and hold it as a truth, that commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive and impolitic.

Unjust, Shackles, Commerce

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.21, University of Virginia Press

We look back, already, with astonishment, at the daring outrages committed by despotism, on the reason and rights of man; we look forward with joy, to the period, when it shall be despoiled of all its usurpations, and bound forever in the chains, with which it had loaded its miserable victims.

Men, Rights, Joy

James Madison (1867). “1829-1836”, p.467

But cool and candid people will at once reflect, that the purest of human blessings must have a portion of alloy in them, that the choice must always be made, if not of the lesser evil, at least of the GREATER, not the PERFECT good; and that in every political institution, a power to advance the public happiness, involves a discretion which may be misapplied and abused.

Blessing, People, Evil

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, Henry Barton Dawson (1864). “The Fœderalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favor of the New Constitution, as Agreed Upon by the Fœderal Convention, September 17, 1787. Reprinted from the Original Text. With an Historical Introduction and Notes”, p.277, New York : C. Scribner ; London : Sampson Low

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

Quotes: 548

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