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James Madison Quotes - Page 9

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A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and

A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.

Party, Passion, Practice

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.44

I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations; but, on a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of power, by the majority trampling on the rights of the minority, have produced factions and commotions, which, in republics, have, more frequently than any other cause, produced despotism.

Believe, Rights, Government

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

A certain degree of preparation for war . . . affords also the best security for the continuance of peace.

War, Preparation, Degrees

James Madison (1819). “The Writings of James Madison: 1808-1819”, p.325

Precedents once established are so much positive power.

Precedent

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

I, sir, have always conceived - I believe those who proposed the constitution conceived,and it is still more fully known, and more material to observe, those who ratified the constitution conceived, that this is not an indefinite government deriving its powers from the general terms prefixed to the specified powers - but, a limited government tied down to the specified powers, which explain and define the general terms.

Believe, Government, Constitution

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.32, University of Virginia Press

Testimony of all ages forces us to admit that war is among the most dangerous enemies to liberty, and that the executive is the branch most favored by it of all the branches of Power.

War, Enemy, Age

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.108, University of Virginia Press

Liberty is to faction, what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be a less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.

Freedom, Animal, Fire

The Federalist no. 10 (1788)

In all the co-temporary discussions and comments, which the Constitution underwent, it was constantly justified and recommended on the ground, that the powers not given to the government, were withheld from it.

Government, Constitution, Justified

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.191

I regret, as much as any member, the unavoidable weight and duration of the burdens to be imposed; having never been a proselyte to the doctrine, that public debts are public benefits. I consider them, on the contrary, as evils which ought to be removed as fast as honor and justice will permit.

Regret, Government, Evil

James Madison (1904). “The Writings of James Madison: 1787-1790”

Torrents of blood have been spilt in the world in vain attempts of the secular arm to extinguish religious discord, by proscribing all differences in religious opinions.

Religious, Blood, Differences

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.9

The means of defence against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.

War, Home, Mean

James Madison (1787). “The Writings of James Madison: 1787. The journal of the Constitutional convention”, p.317

It may be concluded that a pure democracy . . . can admit no cure for the mischiefs of faction.

Democracies Have, Democracy, May

Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison (2010). “The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States”, p.58, Modern Library

Every man who loves peace, every man who loves his country, every man who loves liberty ought to have it ever before his eyes that he may cherish in his heart a due attachment to the Union of America and be able to set a due value on the means of preserving it.

Country, Heart, Mean

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Quentin P. Taylor, John Jay (1998). “The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers”, p.63, Rowman & Littlefield

War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason.

War, Afterlife, Progress

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

A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building ideal monuments of Renown and Bliss here we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven.

Eye, Names, Heaven

James Madison (1962). “Papers”

A standing army is one of the greatest mischief that can possibly happen.

Military, Army, Mischief

Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own.

Wisdom, Lying, Men

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

In suits at common law, trial by jury in civil cases is as essential to secure the liberty of the people as any one of the pre-existent rights of nature.

Rights, Law, People

An efficient militia is authorized and contemplated by the Constitution and required by the spirit and safety of free government.

Government, Safety, Second Amendment

James Madison (1819). “The Writings of James Madison: 1808-1819”, p.379

Who are to be the electors of the Federal Representatives? Not the rich, more than the poor

Rich, Poor, Representatives

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

They can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society.

Law, Operations, Mass

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, J.R. Pole (2005). “The Federalist”, p.311, Hackett Publishing

It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The freemen of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle. We revere this lesson too much ... to forget it

Exercise, America, Waiting

James Madison (1999). “Writings”

We have seen that the tendency of republican governments is to an aggrandizement of the legislative at the expense of the other departments. The appeals to the people, therefore, would usually be made by the executive and judiciary departments.

Government, People, Republican

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.249, Coventry House Publishing

The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world.

Miracle, Liberty, Example

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.28, University of Virginia Press

The proposed Constitution is, in strictness, neither a national nor a federal constitution; but a composition of both.

Federalism, Constitution, Composition

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

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

Quotes: 548

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