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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

“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

“Liberty is not to be enjoyed, indeed it cannot exist, without the habits of just subordination; it consists, not so much in removing all restraint from the orderly, as in imposing it on the violent.”

Freedom Liberty Habit Violent Enjoyed Restraint Imposing Orderly Subordination

Book:Works of Fisher Ames, compiled by a number of his friends

Source: Works of Fisher Ames, compiled by a number of his friends