Fisher Ames quotes

The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness which the ambitious call, and ignorant believe to be liberty. (Fisher Ames)
The gentleman puts me in mind of an old hen which persists in setting after her eggs are taken away. View quote
Fisher Ames
A democracy is a volcano which conceals the fiery materials of its own destruction. These will produce an eruption and carry desolation in their way. View quote
Fisher Ames
No one ever became, or can become truly eloquent without being a reader of the Bible, and an admirer of the purity and sublimity of its language. View quote
Fisher Ames
Liberty has never lasted long in a democracy, nor has it ever ended in anything better than despotism. View quote
Fisher Ames
I consider biennial elections as a security that the sober, second thought of the people shall be law. View quote
Fisher Ames
The House is composed of very good men, not shining, but honest and reasonably well-informed, and in time they will be found to improve, and not to be 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. View quote
Fisher Ames
The rights of conscience, of bearing arms, of changing the government, are declared to be inherent in the people. Freedom of the press, too. View quote
Fisher Ames
"But differ greatly in the sequel.” --Fisher Ames, when confronted with the declaration that all men are created equal. View quote
Fisher Ames
It was said by Fisher Ames that "falsehood proceeds from Maine to Georgia, while truth is pulling on his boots.”. View quote
Fisher Ames
Fisher Ames expressed the popular security more wisely, when he compared a monarchy and a republic, saying, "that a monarchy is a merchantman, which sails well, but will sometimes strike on a rock, and go to the bottom; whilst a republic is a raft, which would never sink, but then your feet are always in water." (Fisher Ames)
Madison has inserted in his amendments the increase of representatives, each State having two at least. The rights of conscience, of bearing arms, of changing the government, are declared to be inherent in the people. Freedom of the press too. There is a prodigious great dose for a medicine. But it will stimulate the stomach as little as hasty pudding. It is rather food for physic. An immense mass of sweet and other herbs and roots for diet drink. View quote
Fisher Ames
Why then, if these books for children must be retained, as they will be, should not the bible regain the place it once held as a school book? Its morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble. The reverence for the sacred book, that is thus early impressed, lasts long; and, probably, if not impressed in infancy, never takes firm hold of the mind. View quote
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.”. View quote
Fisher Ames