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James Madison Quotes - Page 18

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

I do not conceive that power is given to the President and Senate to dismember the empire, or to alienate any great, essential right. I do not think the whole legislative authority have this power. The exercise of the

I do not conceive that power is given to the President and Senate to dismember the empire, or to alienate any great, essential right. I do not think the whole legislative authority have this power. The exercise of the power must be consistent with the object of the delegation.

Exercise, Thinking, President

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.514

The great objects which presented themselves [to the Constitutional Convention] ... formed a task more difficult than can be well conceived by those who were not concerned in the execution of it. Adding to these considerations the natural diversity of human opinions on all new and complicated subjects, it is impossible to consider the degree of concord which ultimately prevailed as less than a miracle.

Diversity, Miracle, Degrees

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.27, University of Virginia Press

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? The means of security can only be regulated by the means and the danger of attack. They will, in fact, be ever determined by these rules, and by no others . . . . If one nation maintains constantly a disciplined army, ready for service of ambition or revenge, it obliges the most pacific nations who may be within the reach of its enterprises to take corresponding precautions.

Revenge, War, Ambition

"Federalist No. 41. General View of the Powers Conferred by the Constitution" by James Madison, www.congress.gov.

In all great changes of established governments, forms ought to give way to substance

Government, Giving, Substance

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay (2016). “The Federalist Papers: The Making of the US Constitution”, p.84, Arcturus Publishing

The proposed constitution, therefore, even when tested by the rules laid down by its antagonists, is, in strictness, neither a national nor a federal constitution; but a composition of both. In its foundation it is federal, not national; in the sources from which the ordinary powers of the government are drawn, it is partly federal, and partly national; in the operation of these powers, it is national, not federal; in the extent of them again, it is federal, not national; and finally, in the authoritative mode of introducing amendments, it is neither wholly federal, nor wholly national.

Government, Foundation, Ordinary

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.179

Among the features peculiar to the political system of the United States is the perfect equality of rights which it secures to every religious sect. [...] Equal laws protecting equal rights, are found as they ought to be presumed, the best guarantee of loyalty, and love of country; as well as best calculated to cherish that mutual respect and good will among citizens of every religious denomination which are necessary to social harmony and most favorable to the advancement of truth.

Loyalty, Country, Religious

Letter to Jacob De La Motta, printed in "Letters and Other Writings of James Madison, vol. 3" (1867), August 1820.

That useful alterations will be suggested by experience, could not but be foreseen . . . . It moreover equally enables the general and state governments to originate the amendment of errors as they may be pointed out by the experience on one side or on the other.

Errors, Government, Sides

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.204

[A]s it must be admitted that the remedy under the Constitution lies where it has been marked out by the Constitution; and that no appeal can be consistently made from that remedy by those who were and still profess to be parties to it, but the appeal to the parties themselves having an authority above the Constitution or to the law of nature & of nature's God.

Lying, Party, Law

James Madison (1853). “Selections from the Private Correspondence of James Madison: From 1813 to 1836”, p.406

Is it not the glory of the people of America, that whilst they have paid a decent regard to the opinions of former times and other nations, they have not suffered a blind veneration for antiquity, for custom, or for names, to overrule the suggestions of their own good sense, the knowledge of their own situation, and the lessons of their own experience? To this manly spirit, posterity will be indebted for the possession, and the world for the example of the numerous innovations displayed on the American theatre, in favor of private rights and public happiness.

Rights, Names, America

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Quentin P. Taylor, John Jay (1998). “The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers”, p.57, Rowman & Littlefield

The smaller the number and the more permanent and conspicuous the station of men in power, the stronger must be the interest which they will individually feel in whatever concerns the government.

Men, Numbers, Stronger

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.287, Coventry House Publishing

The important distinction so well understood in America between a constitution established by the people, and unalterable by the government; and a law established by the government, and alterable by the government, seems to have been little understood and less observed in any other country. Wherever the supreme power of legislation has resided, has been supposed to reside also, a full power to change the form of government.

Country, Government, Law

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in 1788”, p.247

Because finally, 'the equal right of every citizen to the free exercise of his religion according to the dictates of conscience' is held by the same tenure with all his other rights. If we recur to its origin, it is equally the gift of nature; if we weigh its importance, it cannot be less dear to us; if we consider the 'Declaration of those rights which pertain to the good people of Virginia, as the basis and foundation of government,' it is enumerated with equal solemnity, or rather studied emphasis.

Exercise, Rights, Government

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

It may not be easy, in every possible case, to trace the line of separation between the rights of religion and the Civil authority with such distinctness as to avoid collisions and doubts on unessential points. The tendency to unsurpastion on one side or the other, or to a corrupting coalition or alliance between them, will be best guarded agst. by an entire abstinence of the Gov't from interfence in any way whatsoever, beyond the necessity of preserving public order, and protecting each sect agst. trespasses on its legal rights by others.

Order, Rights, Doubt

Where a majority are united by a common sentiment, and have an opportunity, the rights of the minor party become insecure.

Party, Insecure, Opportunity

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

I have ever regarded the freedom of religious opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect.

Religious, Atheism, Opinion

James Madison (1867). “1816-1828: 1816-1828”, p.97

I wish not to be regarded as an advocate for the particular organizations of the several state governments . . . they carry strong marks of the haste, and still stronger marks of the inexperience, under which they were framed.

Strong, Organization, Government

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist: On the New Constitution, Written in 1788”, p.228

I hope this will find you...enjoying the commencement of a new year with every prospect that can make it a happy one.

New Year, Years, Enjoy

By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest... The latent causes of faction are sown in the nature of man.

Passion, Men, Numbers

"Federalist No. 10 (The Federalist Papers)". Essay by James Madison, November 23, 1787.

Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe until a trespass on the Constitution provisions for either, shall be felt with the same keenness that resents and invasion of the dearest rights.

Rights, Order, Second Amendment

James Madison (1865). “Letters and other writings of James Madison”, p.468

In the extent and proper structure of the Union, therefore, we behold a republican remedy for the disease incident to republican government.

Government, Unions, Disease

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

A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect and promises the cure for which we are seeking.

Wisdom, Mean, Government

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.46

[Religious liberty was] in its nature an inalienable right ... because the opinions of men, depending only upon the evidence contemplated by their minds, cannot follow the dictates of other men.

Religious, Men, Mind

The powers of the federal government ... result from the compact to which the states are parties, [and are] limited by the plain sense and intention of the instrument constituting that compact.

Party, Government, Intention

Virginia. General Assembly. House of Delegates, J. W. Randolph, James Madison (1850). “The Virginia Report of 1799-1800: Touching the Alien and Sedition Laws; Together with the Virginia Resolutions of December 21, 1798, Including the Debate and Proceedings Thereon in the House of Delegates of Virginia and Other Documents Illustrative of the Report and Resolutions”, p.190

I acknowledge, in the ordinary course of government, that the exposition of the laws and Constitution devolves upon the judicial. But I beg to know upon what principle it can be contended that any one department draws from the Constitution greater powers than another in marking out the limits of the powers of the several departments.

Government, Law, Principles

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

As to the permanent interest of individuals in the aggregated interests of the community, and in the proverbial maxim, that honesty is the best policy, present temptation is often found to be an overmatch for those considerations.

Honesty, Community, Temptation

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

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

Quotes: 548

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