---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A zeal for different opinions concerning…"
description: "\"A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...[has] divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much mor..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/james-madison-373_animosity_a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning_2572908.jpg"
---

#  A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...\[has\]…

![“A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...[has] divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/james-madison-373_animosity_a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning_2572908.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/james-madison-373_animosity_a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning_2572908.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/james-madison-373_animosity_a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning_2572908.jpg)

> “A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...\[has\] divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.”

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Religious division fuels conflict, hindering cooperation.

**In simple terms:** Religion can divide and cause animosity.

Key Takeaway

Promote dialogue to bridge religious divides.

Themes

religion conflict cooperation human nature

Mood

concerned thoughtful

Type

philosophical social

When to use this quote

- interfaith meetings
- policy making
- community building
- education programs

Key Concepts

sectarianism social cohesion ethical discourse

Questions to Reflect On

- How can societies foster respectful religious discourse?
- What role does education play in reducing animosity?

A Different Perspective

Deep-rooted beliefs may resist change.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Animosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animosity/) [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Common good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-good/) [Different opinions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-opinions/) [Federalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federalist/) [Federalist papers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federalist-papers/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Zeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zeal/)

## Related quotes

> [A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning-religion-concerning/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Whereas religious prayers sing of peace and harmony, religion has divided human beings through an atrocious history of enmity and bloodshed. Yet, behind the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/whereas-religious-prayers-sing-of-peace-and-harmony-religion-has/)

[Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/)

> [“And God is meant to be the home of our souls. Christ came into the world to bring us back to God, and unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-murray/and-god-is-meant-to-be-the-home-of-our-souls-christ-came-into-the/)

[Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-murray/)

> [I'm sickened by all religions. Religion has divided people. I don't think there's any difference between the pope wearing a large hat and parading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-stern/i-m-sickened-by-all-religions-religion-has-divided-people-i-don-t/)

[Howard Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-stern/)

> [The legislative department is everywhere extending the sphere of its activity and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-legislative-department-is-everywhere-extending-the-sphere-of-its/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/if-men-were-angels-no-government-would-be-necessary-if-angels-were-to/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/who-does-not-see-that-the-same-authority-which-can-establish/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Among the numerous advantages promised by a well-constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/among-the-numerous-advantages-promised-by-a-well-constructed-union/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Democracies have been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and in general been as short in their lives as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/democracies-have-been-found-incompatible-with-personal-security-or/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [So strong is this propensity of mankind to fall into mutual animosities, that where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous and fanciful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/so-strong-is-this-propensity-of-mankind-to-fall-into-mutual/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Conscience is the most sacred of all property; other property depending in part on positive law, the exercise of that being a natural and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/conscience-is-the-most-sacred-of-all-property-other-property/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/hence-it-is-that-such-democracies-have-ever-been-spectacles-of/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [A pure Democracy, by which I mean a Society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the Government in person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-pure-democracy-by-which-i-mean-a-society-consisting-of-a-small/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect and promises the cure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-republic-by-which-i-mean-a-government-in-which-the-scheme-of/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/rulers-who-wished-to-subvert-the-public-liberty-may-have-found-an/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

## More by James Madison

> [“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/knowledge-will-forever-govern-ignorance-and-a-people-who-mean-to-be/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/rulers-who-wished-to-subvert-the-public-liberty-may-have-found-an/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-powers-delegated-by-the-proposed-constitution-to-the-federal/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-accumulation-of-all-powers-legislative-executive-and-judiciary-in/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [ It is certain that every class is interested in \[educational\] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-interested-in-educational/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Since it is impossible for the people spontaneously and universally, to move in concert towards their object; and it is therefore essential, that such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/since-it-is-impossible-for-the-people-spontaneously-and-universally/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [The definition of the right of suffrage is very justly regarded as a fundamental article of republican government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-definition-of-the-right-of-suffrage-is-very-justly-regarded-as-a/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-future-and-success-of-america-is-not-in-this-constitution-but-in/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [They can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/they-can-make-no-law-which-will-not-have-its-full-operation-on/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [The effect of a representative democracy is to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-effect-of-a-representative-democracy-is-to-refine-and-enlarge-the/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [“... But besides the danger of a direct mixture of Religion & civil Government , there is an evil which ought to be guarded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/but-besides-the-danger-of-a-direct-mixture-of-religion-civil/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Although all men are born free, slavery has been the general lot of the human race. Ignorant--they have been cheated; asleep--they have been surprised;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/although-all-men-are-born-free-slavery-has-been-the-general-lot-of/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [“It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-may-be-a-reflection-on-human-nature-that-such-devices-should-be/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [The better proof of reverence for that holy name would be not to profane it by making it a topic of legislative discussion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-better-proof-of-reverence-for-that-holy-name-would-be-not-to/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

[Explore all 628 James Madison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

## More Animosity quotes

> [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/)

[Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/)

> [We live in a country where there is a lot of animosity. If your politics is radical it antagonises. People might think I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-jones/we-live-in-a-country-where-there-is-a-lot-of-animosity-if-your/)

[Owen Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-jones/)

> [Life Appears To Be Too Short To Be Spent In Nursing Animosity Or Registering Wrong...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/life-appears-to-be-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/)

Pacifiersucker

> [You look out into the audience and you see so much joy on people's faces. You make eye contact with people who are almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mcvie/you-look-out-into-the-audience-and-you-see-so-much-joy-on-people-s/)

[Christine McVie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mcvie/)

> [Where there has been racial hatred, it must be ended. Where there has been tribal animosity, it will be finished. Let us not dwell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jomo-kenyatta/where-there-has-been-racial-hatred-it-must-be-ended-where-there-has/)

[Jomo Kenyatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jomo-kenyatta/)

> [ \[Football is\] a game that requires the constant conjuring of animosity. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-a-game-that-requires-the-constant-conjuring-of-animosity/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [“No matter how powerful hate seems, it cannot usurp the throne of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/no-matter-how-powerful-hate-seems-it-cannot-usurp-the-throne-of-love/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“You could start a fire with the heat between you two." "You're mistaking bitter animosity for heartfelt affection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-hodkin/you-could-start-a-fire-with-the-heat-between-you-two-you-re-mistaking/)

[Michelle Hodkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-hodkin/)

> [But if you should take the bond of goodwill out of the universe no house or city could stand, nor would even the tillage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/but-if-you-should-take-the-bond-of-goodwill-out-of-the-universe-no/)

[Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/)

> [It is extremely interesting to me that black males, and other black folk, are viewed as self-pitying, by either other blacks who have failed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/it-is-extremely-interesting-to-me-that-black-males-and-other-black/)

[Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/)

> [The second effort was spreading the word among the people, first, in a bid to raise their morale, and second to instil in them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-nasrallah/the-second-effort-was-spreading-the-word-among-the-people-first-in-a/)

[Hassan Nasrallah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hassan-nasrallah/)

> [I've been in and out of Wall Street since 1949, and I've never seen the type of animosity between government and Wall Street. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/i-ve-been-in-and-out-of-wall-street-since-1949-and-i-ve-never-seen/)

[Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/)

> [“The Europeans hate us because we’ve retired to live inside our advertisements, like hermits going into caves to contemplate. We sleep in symbolic bedrooms,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-isherwood/the-europeans-hate-us-because-we-ve-retired-to-live-inside-our/)

[Christopher Isherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-isherwood/)

> [“You're mistaking bitter animosity for heartfelt affection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-hodkin/you-re-mistaking-bitter-animosity-for-heartfelt-affection/)

[Michelle Hodkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-hodkin/)

> [What I learned about acting, from my experiences directing, is why so many producers and directors don't like actors. You go through all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-hawke/what-i-learned-about-acting-from-my-experiences-directing-is-why-so/)

[Ethan Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-hawke/)

[Browse all 187 Animosity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animosity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...[has] divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "James Madison"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning-religion-has-divided-mankind/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Animosity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning-religion-has-divided-mankind/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/james-madison-373_animosity_a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning_2572908.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/james-madison-373_animosity_a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning_2572908.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/james-madison-373_animosity_a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning_2572908.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...[has] divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with…” — James Madison",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "James Madison",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A zeal for different opinions concerning...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning-religion-has-divided-mankind/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-zeal-for-different-opinions-concerning-religion-has-divided-mankind/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```