--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [O]ur sages in the great [constitutional]…" description: "\"[O]ur sages in the great [constitutional] convention... intended our government should be a republic which differs more widely from a democracy than a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76a/fisher-ames-19639_chiefs_o-ur-sages-in-the-great-constitutional-c_1555181.png" --- # \[O\]ur sages in the great \[constitutional\] convention… ![“[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/i/76a/fisher-ames-19639_chiefs_o-ur-sages-in-the-great-constitutional-c_1555181.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76a/fisher-ames-19639_chiefs_o-ur-sages-in-the-great-constitutional-c_1555181.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76a/fisher-ames-19639_chiefs_o-ur-sages-in-the-great-constitutional-c_1555181.png) > “\[O\]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.” [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chiefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) [Constitutional convention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutional-convention/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Despotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despotism/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Lovers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lovers/) [Minorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minorities/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [Republic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republic/) [Rigour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rigour/) [Sage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sage/) [Truest Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truest-love/) [Tyranny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyranny/) ## Related quotes > [ \[the framers of the Constitution\] intended our government should be a republic, which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/the-framers-of-the-constitution-intended-our-government-should-be-a/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [If Aristotle, Livy, and Harrington knew what a republic was, the British constitution is much more like a republic than an empire. They define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/if-aristotle-livy-and-harrington-knew-what-a-republic-was-the-british/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I have established the republic. But today it is not clear whether the form of government is a republic, a dictatorship, or personal rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/i-have-established-the-republic-but-today-it-is-not-clear-whether-the/) [Mustafa Kemal Ataturk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/) > [How could you say the best form of government is a republic if you think the universe is a monarchy?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/how-could-you-say-the-best-form-of-government-is-a-republic-if-you/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/a-primary-object-should-be-the-education-of-our-youth-in-the-science/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [ \[T\]he delegation of the government, in \[a republic\], to a small number of citizens elected by the rest . . . \[is\] to refine… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/t-he-delegation-of-the-government-in-a-republic-to-a-small-number-of/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [“Bot even the truest of love can survive without respect. Not even self love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jyoti-arora/bot-even-the-truest-of-love-can-survive-without-respect-not-even-self/) [Jyoti Arora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jyoti-arora/) > [“Not everyone understands the love that takes place between two soul mates. Once it strikes, you are never the same. 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Reason does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-had-flaws-but-what-does-that-matter-when-it-comes-to-matters-of/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [Dear You, I am madly in love with you.I can not hide what I feel, the fast heart beating, sweaty palms, dazed look when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dear-you-i-am-madly-in-love-with-you-i-can-not-hide-what-i-feel-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The best love is the one you fell in accidentally.The strongest love is the one you fell in unexpectedly.The truest love is the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-best-love-is-the-one-you-fell-in-accidentally-the-strongest-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Fisher Ames > [A government by the passions of the multitude, or, no less correctly, according to the vices, and ambitions of their leaders is a democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/a-government-by-the-passions-of-the-multitude-or-no-less-correctly/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/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.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/i-am-commonly-opposed-to-those-who-modestly-assume-the-rank-of/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [The people as a body cannot deliberate. Nevertheless, they will feel an irresistible impulse to act, and their resolutions will be dictated to them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/the-people-as-a-body-cannot-deliberate-nevertheless-they-will-feel-an/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Liberty is not to be enjoyed, indeed it cannot exist, without the habits of just subordination; it consists, not so much in removing all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/liberty-is-not-to-be-enjoyed-indeed-it-cannot-exist-without-the/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Our liberty depends on our education, our laws, and habits . . . it is founded on morals and religion, whose authority reigns in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/our-liberty-depends-on-our-education-our-laws-and-habits-it-is/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Democracy, in its best state, is but the politics of Bedlam; while kept chained, its thoughts are frantic, but when it breaks loose, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/democracy-in-its-best-state-is-but-the-politics-of-bedlam-while-kept/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Why then, if these new books for children must be retained, as they will be, should not the Bible regain the place it once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/why-then-if-these-new-books-for-children-must-be-retained-as-they/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [No man can be a sound lawyer in this land who is not well read in the ethics of Moses and the virtues of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/no-man-can-be-a-sound-lawyer-in-this-land-who-is-not-well-read-in-the/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [ \[Why\] should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a school book? Its morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/why-should-not-the-bible-regain-the-place-it-once-held-as-a-school/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [I have heard it remarked that men are not to be reasoned out of an opinion they have not reasoned themselves into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/i-have-heard-it-remarked-that-men-are-not-to-be-reasoned-out-of-an/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [I consider biennial elections as a security that the sober, second thought of the people shall be law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/i-consider-biennial-elections-as-a-security-that-the-sober-second/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Time never fails to bring every exalted reputation to a strict scrutiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/time-never-fails-to-bring-every-exalted-reputation-to-a-strict/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [A large portion of our citizens, who will not believe, even on the evidence of facts, that any public evils exist, or are impending.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/a-large-portion-of-our-citizens-who-will-not-believe-even-on-the/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/the-house-is-composed-of-very-good-men-not-shining-but-honest-and/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a schoolbook? Its morals are pure, its examples are captivating and noble…In no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/should-not-the-bible-regain-the-place-it-once-held-as-a-schoolbook/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) [Explore all 32 Fisher Ames quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) ## More Chiefs quotes > [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [I always wanted to be a fireman, a cop, an Indian chief, a doctor, a lawyer. I always wanted to be all these things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-fireman-a-cop-an-indian-chief-a-doctor-a/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [The chief wonder of education is that it does not ruin everybody concerned in it, teachers and taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/the-chief-wonder-of-education-is-that-it-does-not-ruin-everybody/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [Las Vegas is a resort whose two chief sources of income are seven and eleven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/las-vegas-is-a-resort-whose-two-chief-sources-of-income-are-seven-and/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [There is no one force, no group, and no class that is the preserver of liberty. Liberty is preserved by those who are against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burnham/there-is-no-one-force-no-group-and-no-class-that-is-the-preserver-of/) [James Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burnham/) > [Remember chief of staff Rahm Emanuel's callous enjoinder 'you never want a serious crisis to go to waste'? This White House is a serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-tyrrell/remember-chief-of-staff-rahm-emanuel-s-callous-enjoinder-you-never/) [Bob Tyrrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-tyrrell/) > [There is a wealth of unexpressed love in the world. It is one of the chief causes of sorrow evoked by death: what might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hopkins/there-is-a-wealth-of-unexpressed-love-in-the-world-it-is-one-of-the/) Arthur Hopkins > [Pure love is the chief manifestation of education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sai-baba/pure-love-is-the-chief-manifestation-of-education/) [Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sai-baba/) > [The chief beneficiary of life insurance policies for young, single people is the life insurance agent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-smith/the-chief-beneficiary-of-life-insurance-policies-for-young-single/) [Wes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-smith/) > [Most of my writer friends are women, and they're all extremely talented, so of course I think the state of contemporary fiction for women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/most-of-my-writer-friends-are-women-and-they-re-all-extremely/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) > [No commander in chief would ever say, 'I'm not going to listen to the guys on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-mccaskill/no-commander-in-chief-would-ever-say-i-m-not-going-to-listen-to-the/) [Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-mccaskill/) > [I'm going to be specific so you can render your verdict. 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