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James Madison Quotes - Page 22

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Were it possible so to accelerate the intercourse between every part of the globe that all its inhabitants could be united under the superintending authority of an ecumenical Council, how great a portion of human evils

Were it possible so to accelerate the intercourse between every part of the globe that all its inhabitants could be united under the superintending authority of an ecumenical Council, how great a portion of human evils would be avoided.

Peace, Evil, Would Be

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

Man is known to be a selfish, as well as a social being.

Selfish, Men, Human Nature

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

The danger of silent accumulations & encroachments by Ecclesiastical Bodies have not sufficiently engaged attention in the U.S. [...] Besides the danger of a direct mixture of Religion & civil Government, there is an evil which ought to be guarded against in the indefinite accumulation of property from the capacity of holding it in perpetuity by ecclesiastical Corporations. [...] The establishment of the chaplainship to Congs. is a palpable violation of equal rights, as well as of Constitutional principles.

Rights, Government, Evil

"Monopolies. Perpetuities. Corporations. Ecclesiastical Endowments". Essay by James Madison, founders.archives.gov. Circa January 31, 1820.

The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter,to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens and greater sphere of country over which the latter may be extended.

Country, Differences, Numbers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2016). “The Federalist Papers and the Constitution of the United States: The Principles of the American Government”, p.58, Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

The most that the Convention could do in such a situation, was to avoid the errors suggested by the past experience of other countries, as well as of our own; and to provide a convenient mode of rectifying their own errors, as future experience may unfold them.

Country, Past, Errors

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.162

I flatter myself [we] have in this country extinguished forever the ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind.

Country, Law, Forever

James Madison (1787). “The Writings of James Madison: 1783-1787”, p.216

[Restraints on the press] in all ages, have debauched morals, depressed liberty, shackled religion, supported despotism, and deluged the scaffold with blood.

Blood, Age, Liberty

James Madison (1865). “Letters and other writings of James Madison”, p.512

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence, and ecclesiastical establishments tend to great ignorance and corruption; all of which facilitate the execution of mischievous projects.

Religious, Ignorance, Liberty

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

[The public has] the habit now of invalidating opinions emanating from me by reference to my age and infirmities.

Age, Opinion, Habit

James Madison (1865). “Letters and other writings of James Madison”, p.355

The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man.

Men, Differences, Causes

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, J.R. Pole (2005). “The Federalist”, p.49, Hackett Publishing

It is to the press mankind are indebted for having dispelled the clouds which so long encompassed religion, for disclosing her genuine lustre, and disseminating her salutary doctrines.

Clouds, Long, Religion

James Madison (1867). “1829-1836”, p.511

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.

Religious, Rights, Perfect

James Madison (1867). “1816-1828”, p.179

The general government is proscribed from the interfering, in any manner whatsoever, in matters respecting religion; and it may be thought to do this, in ascertaining who, and who are not, ministers of the gospel.

Government, Atheism, May

[T]he bill exceeds the rightful authority to which governments are limited by the essential distinction between civil and religious functions, and violates in particular the article of the Constitution of the United States which declares that Congress shall make no law respecting a religious establishment.... This particular church, therefore, would so far be a religious establishment by law, a legal force and sanction being given to certain articles in its constitution and administration.

Religious, Law, Government

Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in any Manner contrary to their conscience.

Men, Law, Atheism

James Madison (1999). “Writings”

How a regulation so unjust in itself, so foreign to the authority of Congress, and so hurtful to the sale of public land, and smelling so strongly of an antiquated bigotry, could have received the countenance of a committee is truly a matter of astonishment.

Land, Hurtful, Atheism

James Madison (1867). “1769-1793”, p.154

I have received your letter of the 6th, with the eloquent discourse delivered at the consecration of the Jewish Synagogue. Having ever regarded the freedom of religious opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect, and the secure enjoyment of it as the best human provision for bringing all either into the same way of thinking, or into that mutual charity which is the only substitute, I observe with pleasure the view you give of the spirit in which your sect partake of the blessings offered by our Government and laws.

Religious, Thinking, Blessing

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

These examples, though as unfit for the imitation, as they are repugnant to the genius of America, are notwithstanding . . . very instructive proofs of the necessity of some institution that will blend stability with liberty.

America, Liberty, Example

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.309, Coventry House Publishing

Who are to be the objects of popular choice? Every citizen whose merit may recommend him to the esteem and confidence of his country.

Country, Choices, Citizens

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.263

The experience of the United States is a happy disproof of the error so long rooted in the unenlightened minds of well meaning Christians, as well as in the corrupt hearts of persecuting Usurpers, that without a legal incorporation of religious and civil polity, neither could be supported. A mutual independence is found most friendly to practical Religion, to social harmony, and to political prosperity.

Christian, Religious, Heart

James Madison (1965). “The forging of American federalism: selected writings of James Madison”

There is one view of the subject which ought to have its influence on those who espouse doctrines which strike at the authoritative origin and efficacious operation of the Government of the United States. The Government of the U.S. like all Governments free in their principles, rests on compact; a compact, not between the Government & the parties who formed & live under it; but among the parties themselves, and the strongest of Governments are those in which the compacts were most fairly formed and most faithfully executed.

Party, Government, Views

[Christianity] existed and flourishes, not only without the support of human laws, but in spite of every opposition from them.

Law, Support, Religion

Should ardent spirits be everywhere banished from the list of drinks, it will be a revolution not the least remarkable in this revolutionary age, and our country will have its full share in that as in other merits.

Country, Alcohol, Age

James Madison (1865). “Letters and other writings of James Madison”, p.384

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

Quotes: 548

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