James Madison Quotes - Page 17

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In a free Government, the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights. It consists in the one case in the multiplicity of interests, and in the other in the multiplicity of sects. The degree of security in both cases, will depend on the number of interests and sects; and this may be presumed to depend on the extent of country and number of People comprehended under the same Government.

James Madison

Country, Religious, Rights

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, J.R. Pole (2005). “The Federalist”, p.283, Hackett Publishing

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When indeed Religion is kindled into enthusiasm, its force like that of other passions is increased by the sympathy of a multitude. But enthusiasm is only a temporary state of Religion, and whilst it lasts will hardly be seen with pleasure at the helm. Even in its coolest state, it has been much oftener a motive to oppression than a restraint from it.

James Madison

Passion, Religion, Atheism

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

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Waiving the rights of conscience, not included in the surrender implied by the social state, & more or less invaded by all Religious establishments, the simple question to be decided, is whether a support of the best & purest religion, the Christian religion itself ought not, so far at least as pecuniary means are involved, to be provided for by the Government, rather than be left to the voluntary provisions of those who profess it.

James Madison

Christian, Religious, Mean

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Resolved, That the General Assembly of Virginia, doth unequivocally express a firm resolution to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of this State, against every aggression either foreign or domestic, and that they will support the Government of the United States in all measures warranted by the former.

James Madison

Government, Virginia, Support

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

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The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy.

James Madison

Independent, Rights, Class

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.12, University of Virginia Press

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Inference is founded upon obvious reasons. Regard to reputation has a less active influence, when the infamy of a bad action is to be divided upon a number, than when it is to fall singly upon one. A spirit of faction . . . will often hurry the persons of whom they were composed into improprieties and excesses for which they would blush in a private capacity.

James Madison

Fall, Numbers, Excess

Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison (2018). “America's Founding Documents: The Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the Bill of Rights”, p.128, First Avenue Editions

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Because the bill in reserving a certain parcel of land in the United States for the use of said Baptist Church comprises a principle and a precedent for the appropriation of funds of the United States for the use and support of religious societies, contrary to the article of the Constitution which declares that "Congress shall make no law respecting a religious establishment."

James Madison

Religious, Law, Land

James Madison (1819). “The Writings of James Madison: 1808-1819”, p.133

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In a society under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign as in a state of nature.

James Madison

Stronger, Tyranny Of The Majority, May

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay (2016). “The Federalist Papers: The Making of the US Constitution”, p.110, Arcturus Publishing

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The settled opinion here is that religion is essentially distinct from Civil Govt. and exempt from its cognizance; that a connection between them is injurious to both.

James Madison

Religion, Atheism, Connections

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.89, University of Virginia Press

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But the mere circumstance of complexion cannot deprive them of the character of men.

James Madison

Character, Men, Human Nature

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

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Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

James Madison

Liberty, Unjust, Socialism

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.124, University of Virginia Press

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The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society.

James Madison

Men, Causes, Degrees

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.48, Coventry House Publishing

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The establishment of the chaplainship to Congress is a palpable violation of ... constitutional principles.

James Madison

Religion, Atheism, Principles

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.88, University of Virginia Press

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A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.

James Madison

Patriotic, Small Numbers, Government

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution: Written in 1788”, p.53

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If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they ought to be gotten from those philosophic and patriotic citizens who cultivate their reason.

James Madison

Patriotic, Liberty, Majority

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The Alien bill proposed in the Senate is a monster that must forever disgrace its parents.

James Madison

Parent, Forever, Monsters

James Madison (1906). “The Writings of James Madison: 1790-1802”

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The American people owe it to themselves, and to the cause of free Government, to prove by their establishments for the advancement and diffusion of knowledge, that their political Institutionsare as favorable to the intellectual and moral improvement of Man as they are conformable to his individual and social rights.

James Madison

Education, Men, Rights

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

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Besides the obscurity arising from the complexity of objects, and the imperfection of the human faculties, the medium through which the conceptions of men are conveyed to each other adds a fresh embarrassment.

James Madison

Men, Imperfection, Add

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.176, Coventry House Publishing

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It was by the sober sense of our citizens that we were safely and steadily conducted from monarchy to republicanism, and it is by the same agency alone we can be kept from falling back.

James Madison

War, Fall, Agency

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For what purpose could the enumeration of particular powers be inserted, if these and all others were meant to be included in the preceding general power?

James Madison

Purpose, Were Meant To Be, Particular

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2016). “The Federalist Papers and the Constitution of the United States: The Principles of the American Government”, p.225, Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

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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.

James Madison

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

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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.

James Madison

Honesty, Community, Temptation

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

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Outlets for the freed blacks are alone wanted for the erasure of the blot from our Republican character.

James Madison

Character, Slavery, Republican

James Madison (1865). “Letters and other writings of James Madison”, p.60

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In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate governments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself.

James Madison

Two, America, Rights

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.256, Coventry House Publishing

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It degrades from the equal rank of Citizens all those whose opinions in Religion do not bend to those of the Legislative authority. Distant as it may be in its present form from the Inquisition, it differs from it only in degree.

James Madison

Religion, Atheism, May

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

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Born: March 16, 1751
Died: June 28, 1836
Occupation: 4th U.S. President
Cite this Page: Citation

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