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James Madison Quotes about War

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No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

Freedom, War, Democracies Have

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

The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce. ... The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives and liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement and prosperity of the State.

War, Government, Order

Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few... No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

Inspirational, War, Army

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

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations.

War, Liberty, Bears

James Madison (1865). “Letters and other writings of James Madison”, p.471

The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.

Freedom, War, Mean

The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war.

War, Liberty, Tyranny Founding Fathers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist, on the new constitution, written in 1788, 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”, p.451

War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures are to support its burdens, instead of the government which is to reap its fruits.

Peace, War, Government

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

It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad.

Freedom, Real, War

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.49, University of Virginia Press

Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.

Fear, War, Enemy

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

The power to declare war, including the power of judging the causes of war, is fully and exclusively vested in the legislature.

Peace, War, Judging

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist: On the New Constitution, Written in 1788”, p.451

It is a principle incorporated into the settled policy of America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute.

War, America, Principles

James Madison (1867). “1816-1828”, p.17

The Constitution expressly and exclusively vests in the Legislature the power of declaring a state of war [and] the power of raising armies.... A delegation of such powers [to the President] would have struck, not only at the fabric of our Constitution, but at the foundation of all well organized and well checked governments. The separation of the power of declaring war from that of conducting it, is wisely contrived to exclude the danger of its being declared for the sake of its being conducted.

War, Army, Government

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

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

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

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

The strongest passions and most dangerous weaknesses of the human breast; ambition, avarice, vanity, the honorable or venal love of fame, are all in conspiracy against the desire and duty of peace.

Peace, War, Passion

"The Cost of America's Secret Wars, Then and Now" by Charles P. Pierce, www.esquire.com. December 6, 2011.

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

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 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 constitution supposes, what the History of all Governments demonstrates, that the Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, and most prone to it.

Peace, War, Government

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.43, University of Virginia Press

Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things, be proper or safe judges, whether a war ought to be commenced, continued, or concluded.

War, Judging, Safe

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.436

The fetters imposed on liberty at home have ever been forged out of the weapons provided for defense against real, pretended, or imaginary dangers from abroad.

Real, War, Home

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.49, University of Virginia Press

In no part of the Constitution is more wisdom to be found than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature, and not the executive department. ... The trust and the temptation would be too great for any one man.

War, Men, Temptation

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1826). “The Federalist: On the New Constitution”, p.550

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

Quotes: 548

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