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Fisher Ames

Fisher Ames Quotes

Former United States Representative

Fisher Ames was a significant figure in the early history of the United States, serving as a Representative from Massachusetts. He was instrumental in drafting the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Ames was born on April 9, 1758, and died on July 4, 1808.

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Famous Fisher Ames Quotes

“A government by the passions of the multitude, or, no less correctly, according to the vices, and ambitions of their leaders is a democracy.”

Government Passion Leader Democracy Ambition Vices Multitudes

Book:Works of Fisher Ames

Source: Works of Fisher Ames

“All such men are, or ought to be, agreed, that simple governments are despotisms; and of all despotisms, a democracy, though the least durable, is the most violent.”

Men Government Simple Democracy Ought Violent Despotism

Book:The influences of democracy on liberty, property, and the happiness of society, considered

Source: The influences of democracy on liberty, property, and the happiness of society, considered

“The people as a body cannot deliberate. Nevertheless, they will feel an irresistible impulse to act, and their resolutions will be dictated to them by their demagogues... and the violent men, who are the most forward to gratify those passions, will be their favorites. What is called the government of the people is in fact too often the arbitrary power of such men. Here, then, we have the faithful portrait of democracy.”

People Men Feels Facts Body Government Passion Democracy Violent Impulse Faithful Resolution Nevertheless Portraits Deliberate Arbitrary Irresistible Violent Man

Book:Works of Fisher Ames: With a Selection from His Speeches and Correspondence

Source: Works of Fisher Ames: With a Selection from His Speeches and Correspondence

“The rights of conscience, of bearing arms, of changing the government, are declared to be inherent in the people.”

People Government Rights Arms Gun Conscience Amendments Inherent Second Amendment Right To Bear Arms Bearing Arms

Book:Works of Fisher Ames: With a Selection from His Speeches and Correspondence

Source: Works of Fisher Ames: With a Selection from His Speeches and Correspondence

“The happiness of a people, and the good order and preservation of civil government, essentially depend on piety, religion, and morality.”

People Government Religion Order Depends Morality Preservation Piety

Author:Fisher Ames

“[the framers of the Constitution] intended our government should be a republic, which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a despotism.”

Should Government Democracy Constitution Historical Republic Despotism Framers

Author:Fisher Ames

“The House is composed of very good men, not shining, but honest and reasonably well-informed, and in time will be found to improve, and not much inferior in eloquence, science, and dignity, to the British Commons. They are patriotic enough, and I believe there are more stupid (as well as more shining) people in the latter, in proportion.”

Source: Works of Fisher Ames: With a Selection from His Speeches and Correspondence

“[O]ur sages in the great [constitutional] convention... intended our government should be a republic which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a despotism. The rigours of a despotism often... oppress only a few, but it is the very essence and nature of a democracy, for a faction claiming to oppress a minority, and that minority the chief owners of the property and truest lovers of their country.”

Should Country Government Democracy Lovers Essence Property Tyranny Chiefs Minorities Owners Republic Conventions Sage Truest Despotism Factions Constitutional Convention Rigour

Author:Fisher Ames