Tag Archives: James Madison

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

Posted on February 9, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“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)

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

Posted on January 27, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

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

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First Principles: There Are More Instances of the Abridgment of the Freedom of the People By Gradual and Silent Encroachments of Those In Power Than By Violent and Sudden Usurpations

Posted on January 26, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” – James Madison, speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Abridgement, Encroachments, First Principles, Freedom, Gradual, Instances, James Madison, Power, Silent, Sudden Usurpations, The People, Violent | Leave a comment

First Principles: It Will Be of Little Avail To the People That the Laws Are Made By Men of Their Own Choice, If the Laws Are So Voluminous That They Cannot Be Read, Or So Incoherent That They Cannot Be Understood

Posted on January 10, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if … Continue reading →

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First Principles: There Are More Instances of the Abridgement of the Freedom of the People By Gradual and Silent Encroachment of Those In Power Than by Violent and Sudden Usurpations

Posted on December 28, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the People by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” – James Madison

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Abridgement, Encroachments, First Principles, Freedom, Gradual, Instances, James Madison, Power, Silent, Sudden, The People, Usurpations, Violent | Leave a comment

First Principles: Experience Is the Oracle of Truth; and Where Its Responses Are Unequivocal, They Ought To Be Conclusive and Sacred

Posted on December 23, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred.” – Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (1787)

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First Principles: A Popular Government, Without Popular Information, Or the Means of Acquiring It, Is But A Prologue to A Farce Or A Tragedy; Or, Perhaps Both

Posted on December 20, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Passion Never Fails to Wrest the Scepter From Reason

Posted on December 5, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever character composed, passion never fails to wrest the sceptre from reason.” – James Madison (1788)

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First Principles: Government Is Instituted To Protect Property of Every Sort

Posted on November 22, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“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. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government which … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Knowledge Will Forever Govern Ignorance, and A People Who Mean To Be Their Own Governors, Must Arm Themselves With the Power Knowledge Gives

Posted on November 19, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.” – James Madison

Posted in First Principles | Tagged First Principles, Govern, Ignorance, James Madison, Knowledge, Mean, Own Governors, People, Power | Leave a comment