104 quotes
Religion & Govt. will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.
No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected without being truly respectable; nor be truly respectable without possessing a certain portion of order and stability.
Federalist Papers (1787)
We have seen the mere distinction of color made, in the most enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man.
It is a settled policy of America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute. The United States, while they wish for war with no nation, will buy peace with none.
Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labor of slaves.
We must deny the fact, that slaves are considered merely as property, and in no respect whatever as persons.
Federalist Papers (1787)
I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.
Federalist Papers (1787)
The man who is possessed of wealth, who lolls on his sofa or rolls in his carriage, cannot judge the wants or feelings of the day-laborer. The government we mean to erect is intended to last for ages.
I SHALL here, perhaps, be reminded of a current observation, "that where annual elections end, tyranny begins.
Federalist Papers (1787)
In all cases where a majority are united by a common interest or passion, the rights of the minority are in danger.
The Debates in the Federal Convention (1787)
The constitution supposes, what the History of all Governments demonstrates, that the Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, & most prone to it.
Who are to be the electors of the federal representatives? Not the rich, more than the poor, not the haughty heirs of distinguished names, more than the humble sons of obscure and propitious fortune.
Federalist 57 (1788)
But we are always to keep in mind that it is safer to trust the consequences of a right principle, than reasonings in support of a bad one.
Monopolies, Perpetuities, Corporations, Ecclesiastical Endowments (also known as Detached Memoranda) (1817)
A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project.
Federalist Papers (1787)
To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.
War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason; and if any thing is to be hoped, every thing ought to be tried.
Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty & dangerous encroachments on the public liberty.
An advisory Govt. is a contradiction in terms.
Monopolies, Perpetuities, Corporations, Ecclesiastical Endowments (also known as Detached Memoranda) (1817)
A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building ideal monuments of Renown and Bliss here we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven.