--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Besides the advantage of being armed…" description: "\"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate government..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/james-madison-373_2-amendment_besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-whi_2477221.png" --- # Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans… ![“Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/james-madison-373_2-amendment_besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-whi_2477221.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/james-madison-373_2-amendment_besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-whi_2477221.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/james-madison-373_2-amendment_besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-whi_2477221.png) > “Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of.” [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. A well‑armed populace and local militias act as checks on central power and curb ambition. **In simple terms:** Armed citizens and local forces limit government overreach. Key Takeaway Support balanced power structures. Themes politics freedom checks and balances Mood cautious analytical Type historical political When to use this quote - debating constitutional design - educating citizens - policy making - defending liberty Key Concepts militia government authority Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards prevent militia misuse? - How does this view translate today? A Different Perspective Assumes all citizens act responsibly with arms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [2 amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/2-amendment/) [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Amendment 1](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment-1/) [Amendment 13](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment-13/) [Amendment 19](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment-19/) [Amendment 4](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment-4/) [Amendments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendments/) [America freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-freedom/) [American law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-law/) [Americans Possess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-possess-824089/) [Armed Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-americans-824087/) [Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) [Attached Militia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attached-militia-824088/) [Barriers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) [Bearing arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bearing-arms/) [Disarming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disarming/) [Enterprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enterprise/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Federalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federalist/) [Federalist papers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federalist-papers/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Founding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding/) [Founding fathers gun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-gun/) [Founding fathers second amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-second-amendment/) [Framers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/framers/) [Freedom and liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-and-liberty/) [Freedom liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-liberty/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Gun owners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-owners/) [Gun rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-rights/) [Guns in america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guns-in-america/) [Insurmountable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insurmountable/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Militia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/militia/) [Militia Officers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/militia-officers-824090/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Officers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/officers/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Right to bear arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-to-bear-arms/) [Second amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-amendment/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [Subordinate Governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subordinate-governments-824086/) [Subordinates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subordinates/) ## Related quotes > [Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation… Notwithstanding the military establishments in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-which-the-americans-possess-over/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-constitution-preserves-the-advantage-of-being-armed-which/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Americans need never fear their government because of the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gouverneur-morris/americans-need-never-fear-their-government-because-of-the-advantage/) [Gouverneur Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gouverneur-morris/) > [ It is not certain that with this aid alone \[possession of arms\], they would not be able to shake off their yokes. But were… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-is-not-certain-that-with-this-aid-alone-possession-of-arms-they/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Fewer and fewer Americans possess objects that have a patina, old furniture, grandparents pots and pans - the used things, warm with generations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/fewer-and-fewer-americans-possess-objects-that-have-a-patina-old/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [Possess the spirit of independence. The Americans do, and why should not you? Possess the spirit of men, bold and enterprising, fearless and undaunted.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-w-stewart/possess-the-spirit-of-independence-the-americans-do-and-why-should/) [Maria W. Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-w-stewart/) > [To disarm the people... was the best and most effectual way to enslave them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/to-disarm-the-people-was-the-best-and-most-effectual-way-to-enslave/) [George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/) > [A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/a-well-regulated-militia-being-necessary-to-the-security-of-a-free/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [The powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from sixteen to sixty. The militia of these free commonwealths,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/the-powers-of-the-sword-are-in-the-hands-of-the-yeomanry-of-america/) [Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/) > [ When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British parliament was advised by an artful man \[Sir William Keith\], who… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/when-the-resolution-of-enslaving-america-was-formed-in-great-britain/) [George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/) > [The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world not destitute of arms, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-balance-of-power-is-the-scale-of-peace-the-same-balance-would-be/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [For an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/for-an-unarmed-man-may-be-attacked-with-greater-confidence-than-an/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/what-country-can-preserve-its-liberties-if-its-rulers-are-not-warned/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## 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 2 amendment quotes > [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize,... The people are confirmed by the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/as-civil-rulers-not-having-their-duty-to-the-people-duly-before-them/) [Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/) > [What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/what-country-can-preserve-its-liberties-if-its-rulers-are-not-warned/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A sword by itself does not slay; it is merely the weapon used by the slayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/a-sword-by-itself-does-not-slay-it-is-merely-the-weapon-used-by-the/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [For an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/for-an-unarmed-man-may-be-attacked-with-greater-confidence-than-an/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When they come for your guns, give them the ammo first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-w-royce/when-they-come-for-your-guns-give-them-the-ammo-first/) [Kenneth W. Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-w-royce/) > [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world not destitute of arms, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-balance-of-power-is-the-scale-of-peace-the-same-balance-would-be/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [The laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Can it be supposed that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-beccaria/the-laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are/) [Cesare Beccaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-beccaria/) > [If gun laws in fact worked, the sponsors of this type of legislation should have no difficulty drawing upon long lists of examples of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-hatch/if-gun-laws-in-fact-worked-the-sponsors-of-this-type-of-legislation/) [Orrin Hatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-hatch/) > [A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/a-well-regulated-militia-being-necessary-to-the-security-of-a-free/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [To disarm the people... was the best and most effectual way to enslave them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/to-disarm-the-people-was-the-best-and-most-effectual-way-to-enslave/) [George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/) > [Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion... in private self-defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/arms-in-the-hands-of-citizens-may-be-used-at-individual-discretion-in/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/that-the-said-constitution-shall-never-be-construed-to-authorize/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Little more can reasonably be aimed at with respect to the people at large than to have them properly armed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/little-more-can-reasonably-be-aimed-at-with-respect-to-the-people-at/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) [Browse all 64 2 amendment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/2-amendment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James Madison" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-which-the-americans-possess-over-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "2 amendment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-which-the-americans-possess-over-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/james-madison-373_2-amendment_besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-whi_2477221.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/james-madison-373_2-amendment_besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-whi_2477221.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/james-madison-373_2-amendment_besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-whi_2477221.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other…” — 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": "Besides the advantage of being armed,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-which-the-americans-possess-over-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/besides-the-advantage-of-being-armed-which-the-americans-possess-over-2/#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 } } ] } ```