James Madison Quotes - Page 19

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Whilst the last members were signing it Doctr. Franklin looking towards the Presidents chair, at the back of which a rising sun happened to be painted, observed to a few members near him, that Painters had found it difficult to distinguish in their art a rising from a setting sun.

James Madison

Art, President, Constitution Of The United States

James Madison, Edward J. Larson, Michael P. Winship (2011). “The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison”, p.237, Modern Library

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It would have marked a want of foresight in the convention, which our own experience would have rendered inexcusable.

James Madison

Want, Conventions, Constitutional Convention

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.205

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It may not be improper, however, to remark two consequences, evidently flowing from an extension of the federal power to every subject falling within the idea of the "general welfare." One consequence must be, to enlarge the sphere of discretion allotted to the executive magistrate... The other consequence would be, that of an excessive augmentation of the offices, honors, and emoluments, depending on the executive will.

James Madison

Fall, Ideas, Two

"The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution".

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From the the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results.

James Madison

Degrees, Different, Kind

The Federalist no. 10 (1788)

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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.

James Madison

Wisdom, Mean, Government

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

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

James Madison

Government, Unions, Disease

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

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The first question that offers itself is, whether the general form and aspect of the government be strictly republican? It is evident that no other form would be reconcileable with the genius of the people of America; with the fundamental principles of the revolution; or with that honourable determination which animates every votary of freedom, to rest all our political experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.

James Madison

Determination, Government, Self

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

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Nothing has yet been offered to invalidate the doctrine that the meaning of the Constitution may as well be ascertained by the Legislative as by the Judicial authority.

James Madison

Doctrine, May, Constitution

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.399

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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.

James Madison

Government, Law, Principles

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

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To what expedient then shall we finally resort, for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government, as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places.

James Madison

Mean, Government, Practice

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1842). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788”, p.238

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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.

James Madison

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

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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.

James Madison

Diversity, Miracle, Degrees

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

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

James Madison

Government, Giving, Substance

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

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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.

James Madison

Rights, Order, Second Amendment

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

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To consider the degree of concord which ultimately prevailed as less than a miracle.

James Madison

Miracle, Degrees, Constitution

James Madison (1867). “1769-1793”, p.344

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In order to judge of the form to be given to this institution the Senate, it will be proper to take a view of the ends to be served by it. These were,first, to protect the people against their rulers, secondly, to protect the people against the transient impressions into which they themselves might be led.

James Madison

Views, Order, People

James Madison, Edward J. Larson, Michael P. Winship (2011). “The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison”, p.86, Modern Library

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Torrents of blood have been spilt in the old world, by vain attempts of the secular arm, to extinguish Religious discord, by proscribing all difference in religious opinion. Time has at length revealed the true remedy. Every relaxation of narrow and rigorous policy, wherever it has been tried, has been found to assuage the disease.

James Madison

Religious, Blood, Differences

James Madison (1819). “Religious Freedom. A memorial and remonstrance drawn by ... J. Madison, late President of the United States, ... against the general assessment in “a Bill establishing provision for the teachers of the Christian religion, presented to the General Assembly”, p.10

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[The proposed establishment] will have a . . . tendency to banish our Citizens. . . . To superadd a fresh motive to emigration by revoking the liberty which they now enjoy, would be the same species of folly which has dishonoured and depopulated flourishing kingdoms.

James Madison

Church, Liberty, Would Be

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

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The American people are too well schooled in the duty and practice of submitting to the will of the majority to permit any serious uneasiness on that account

James Madison

Practice, People, Serious

James Madison (1867). “1829-1836”, p.94

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The nation which reposes on the pillow of political confidence, will sooner or later end its political existence in a deadly lethargy.

James Madison

Political, Politics, Ends

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

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A public debt is a public curse.

James Madison

Presidential, Debt, Curse

Letter to Henry Lee, 13 Apr. 1790

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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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Nor is any evidence to be found, either in History or Human Nature, that nations are to be bribed out of a spirit of encroachment and aggression, by humiliations which nourish their pride, or by concessions that extend their resources and power.

James Madison

Pride, Spirit, Human Nature

James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.16, University of Virginia Press

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Man, who preys both on the vegetable and animal species, is himself a prey to neither. He too possesses the reproductive principle far beyond the degree requisite for the bare continuance of his species. What becomes of the surplus of human life to which this principle is competent?

James Madison

Men, Animal, Vegetables

James Madison (1867). “1829-1836”, p.454

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Religion, or the duty we owe to our Creator, and manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and, therefore, that all men should enjoy the fullest toleration in the exercise of religion according to the dictates of conscience, unpunished and unrestrained by the magistrate, unless under color of religion any man disturb the peace, the happiness, or safety of society, and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity toward each other.

James Madison

Christian, Exercise, Men

James Madison (1900). “The Writings of James Madison: 1769-1783”

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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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