James Madison (1751-1836), Alexander Hamilton (1755/1757-1804), and John Jay (1745-1829) wrote and published The Federalist Papers between 1787 and 1788. Their essays provided commentary and analysis on the ideal government of a federal republic. The Federalist Papers played a key role in convincing Americans to support the Constitution of the United States of America, which was introduced in 1787. Here are fourteen wise quotes from The Federalist Papers
- “Nothing could be more ill-judged than that intolerant spirit which has, at all times, characterized political parties.”-From The Federalist No. 1, by Alexander Hamilton.
- “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”-From The Federalist No. 47, by James Madison.
- “Among the many objects to which a wise and free people find it necessary to direct their attention, that of providing for their safety seems to be the first.”
-From The Federalist No. 3, by John Jay. - “A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.” -From The Federalist No. 10, by James Madison.
- “Ambition, avarice, personal animosity, party opposition, and many other motives not more laudable than these, are apt to operate as well upon those who support as those who oppose the right side of a question.” -From The Federalist No. 1, by Alexander Hamilton.
- “The pride of states, as well as of men, naturally disposes them to justify all their actions, and opposes their acknowledging, correcting, or repairing their errors and offences.” -From The Federalist No. 3, by John Jay.
- “It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting anything by it; nay, absolute monarchs will often make war when their nations are to get nothing by it, but for purposes and objects merely personal, such as a thirst for military glory, revenge for personal affronts, ambition, or private compacts to aggrandize or support their particular families or partisans.” -From The Federalist No. 4, by John Jay.
- “A spirit of faction, which is apt to mingle its poison in the deliberations of all bodies of men, will often hurry the persons of whom they are composed into improprieties and excesses, for which they would blush in a private capacity.” -From The Federalist No. 15, by Alexander Hamilton.
- “It has until lately been a received and uncontradicted opinion, that the prosperity of the people of America depended on their continuing firmly united, and the wishes, prayers, and efforts of our best and wisest citizens have been constantly directed to that object. But politicians now appear, who insist that this opinion is erroneous and that instead of looking for safety and happiness in union, we ought to seek it in a division…” -From The Federalist No. 2, by John Jay
- “The consciousness of good intentions disdains ambiguity.” -From The Federalist No. I, by Alexander Hamilton.
- “Distrust naturally creates distrust, and by nothing is good-will and kind conduct more speedily changed than by invidious jealousies and uncandid imputations, whether expressed or implied.” -From The Federalist No. 5, by John Jay.
- “Is it not time to awake from the deceitful dream of a golden age, and to adopt as a practical maxim for the direction of our political conduct that we, as well as the other inhabitants of the globe, are yet remote from the happy empire of perfect wisdom and perfect virtue?” -From The Federalist No. 6, by Alexander Hamilton.
- “The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations.” -From The Federalist No. 10, by James Madison.
- “It was also peculiarly desirable to afford as little opportunity as possible to tumult and disorder. This evil was not least to be dreaded in the election of a magistrate, who was to have so important an agency in the administration of the government as the President of the United States.” -From The Federalist No. 68, by Alexander Hamilton.
The specific text used in the video was republished by the Henry Regnery Company (Chicago, Illinois, 1948).
All of the portraits of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and other American founding fathers that were used in the video were Public Domain or without any known rights restrictions at the time of the video’s creation.
The fife, horn, and drum music playing in the background is by The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. Songs used in the video included, Soldiers Farewell Fanfare/Montezuma/March Of War/Windsor Park…. , Water Music From The Handel Show, Brandywine Quickstep From The Minstrel Boy Show, and Simple Gifts/Simple Interlude/Storm In The Valley From The Simple Gifts Show. The music was listed as public domain via https://www.chosic.com/ at the time of the video’s creation.
Images used in the video can be found here:
https://www.si.edu/object/alexander-hamilton:npg_NPG.79.216
https://www.si.edu/object/john-jay:npg_S_NPG.72.33
https://npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.74.46
https://www.si.edu/object/james-madison:nmah_325449
https://www.si.edu/object/alexander-hamilton:npg_NPG.80.146
https://npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.70.55
https://www.nga.gov/artworks/75023-john-jay
https://www.si.edu/object/james-madison:npg_NPG.2019.32
https://www.si.edu/object/alexander-hamilton:npg_NPG.2003.72
