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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

“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

“I am commonly opposed to those who modestly assume the rank of champions of liberty, and make a very patriotic noise about the people. It is the stale artifice which has duped the world a thousand times, and yet, though detected, it is still successful. I love liberty as well as anybody. I am proud of it, as the true title of our people to distinction above others; but . . . I would guard it by making the laws strong enough to protect it.”

Source: Works of Fisher Ames: Memoir, by J. T. Kirkland. Letters

“I consider biennial elections as a security that the sober, second thought of the people shall be law.”

People Law Political Politics Security Election Sober Second Thoughts

Book:Works of Fisher Ames

Source: Works of 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