Chiefs Quote by Fisher Ames
![“[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…” quote by Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/76a/fisher-ames-19639_chiefs_o-ur-sages-in-the-great-constitutional-c_1555181.jpg)
“[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.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788
A republic should limit majority tyranny, protecting minorities from oppressive majorities.
In simple terms: Republic protects minorities from majority oppression.
Key Takeaway
Design institutions that safeguard minority rights.
Themes
politics
government
minority rights
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- legislative design
- civil rights advocacy
- constitutional drafting
- public policy debates
Key Concepts
republicanism
factionalism
tyranny of the majority
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern democracies better protect minorities?
- What safeguards prevent factional oppression?
A Different Perspective
Majorities can still dominate without checks.
![“[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.” quote by Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8f1/fisher-ames-19639_constitution_the-framers-of-the-constitution-intended_2570843.jpg)
![“[T]he delegation of the government, in [a republic], to a small number of citizens elected by the rest . . . [is] to refine and enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ffa/james-madison-373_and-love_t-he-delegation-of-the-government-in-a-r_999223.jpg)
![“[Why] 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.” quote by Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef1/fisher-ames-19639_bible_why-should-not-the-bible-regain-the-plac_1033233.jpg)
