Tag Archives: James Madison

First Principles: Legislators Invent Too Many Devices For Subdividing Property, Only Taking Care To Let Their Subdivisions Go Hand In Hand With The Natural Affections of the Human Mind

“Legislators invent too many devices for subdividing property, only taking care to let their subdivisions go hand in hand with the natural affections of the human mind.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, 1785

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Enlightened Statesmen Will Not Always Be At the Helm

“Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.” – James Madison (1787)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Fetters Imposed On Liberty At Home Have Been Forged Out of the Weapons Provided For Defense Against Real, Pretended, Or Imaginary Dangers From Abroad

“The fetters imposed on liberty at home have ever been forged out of the weapons provided for defence against real, pretended, or imaginary dangers from abroad.” – James Madison, 4th US president (16 Mar 1751-1836)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Essence of Government Is Power; and Power, Lodged As It Must In Human Hands, Will Ever Be Liable To Abuse

“The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.” – James Madison (1829)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: 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

“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 (1788)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Government Is Instituted To Protect Property of Every Sort; As Well That Which Lies In the Various Rights of Individuals

“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.” – James Madison (1792)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Nothing Is So Contagious As Opinion, Especially On Questions Which, Susceptible of Very Different Glosses, Begat In the Mind A Distrust of Itself

“Nothing is so contagious as opinion, especially on questions which, being susceptible of very different glosses, beget in the mind a distrust of itself.” – James Madison (1790)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Eyes of the World Being Thus On Our Country, It Is Put the More On Its Good Behavior

“The eyes of the world being thus on our Country, it is put the more on its good behavior, and under the greater obligation also, to do justice to the Tree of Liberty by an exhibition of the fine fruits … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Wisdom, and Good Examples Are Necessary At This Time To Rescue the Political Machine From the Impending Storm

“Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm.” – George Washington, Letter to James Madison (November 5, 1786)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Essence of Government Is Power, Lodged As It Must Be In Human Hands, Will Ever Be Liable to Abuse

“The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.” – James Madison (1829)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment