Tag Archives: James Madison

First Principles: There Are Other Qualities In Human Nature, Which Justify A Certain Portion of Esteem and Confidence

“As there is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust: So there are other qualities in human nature, which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence.” – James Madison (1788)

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First Principles: Every Man Who Loves His Country…Ought To…Be Able To Set A Due Value On the Means of Preserving It

“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 … Continue reading

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First Principles: If Individuals Be Not Influenced By Moral Principles, It Is In Vain To Look For Public Virtue

“If individuals be not influenced by moral principles, it is in vain to look for public virtue.” – James Madison (1789)

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First Principles: All Men Having Power Ought To Be Distrusted To A Certain Degree

“All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.” – James Madison (1787)

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First Principles: The Mild Voice of Reason…Is…Too Often Drowned…By the Clamors of An Impatient Avidity For Immediate and Immoderate Gain

“The mild voice of reason, pleading the cause of an enlarged and permanent interest, is but too often drowned, before public bodies as well as individuals, by the clamors of an impatient avidity for immediate and immoderate gain.” – James … Continue reading

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First Principles: Justice Is the End of Government. It Is the End of Civil Society

“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.” – James Madison

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First Principles: Charity Is No Part of the Legislative Duty of the Government

“Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” – James Madison (1794) I have no idea why followers of the Constitution and the rule of law would have any problem with a singular executive order that did … Continue reading

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First Principles: Where An Excess of Power Prevails, Property of No Sort Is Duly Respected. No Man Is Safe In His Opinions,…Or His Possessions

“Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.” – James Madison (1792)

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First Principles: If Congress Can Do Whatever In Their Discretion Can Be Done By Money, and Will Promote the General Welfare, the Government Is No Longer A Limited One

“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.” – James … Continue reading

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First Principles: Wherever the Real Power In A Government Lies, There Is the Danger of Oppression

“Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression.” – James Madison (1788)

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