--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is proper to take alarm at the first…" description: "\"It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens and one of the nobl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/james-madison-373_alarms_it-is-proper-to-take-alarm-at-the-first_1568889.jpg" --- # It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our… ![“It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The freemen of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise and…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/james-madison-373_alarms_it-is-proper-to-take-alarm-at-the-first_1568889.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/james-madison-373_alarms_it-is-proper-to-take-alarm-at-the-first_1568889.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/james-madison-373_alarms_it-is-proper-to-take-alarm-at-the-first_1568889.jpg) > “It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The freemen of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle. We revere this lesson too much ... to forget it” [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. Citizens must be vigilant about liberty threats; early warning protects freedom and prevents tyranny. **In simple terms:** Watch for early threats to freedom. Key Takeaway Stay alert to protect rights. Themes freedom vigilance citizenship Mood cautious thoughtful Type historical political When to use this quote - legislative sessions - public protests - community organizing Key Concepts political theory republicanism Questions to Reflect On - What signs indicate a genuine threat to liberty? - How can we balance vigilance with trust? A Different Perspective Over‑vigilance can cause paranoia and stifle progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Experiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiments/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom and liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-and-liberty/) [Lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessons/) [Liberties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberties/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Liberty and justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-and-justice/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Precedent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precedent/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) ## Related quotes > [“It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. . . . 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Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) > [Throughout the ages advanced souls have yearned for a society in which liberty and justice prevail. Men have sought for it, fought for it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-mckay/throughout-the-ages-advanced-souls-have-yearned-for-a-society-in/) [David O. McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-mckay/) > [The truth was that all men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-truth-was-that-all-men-having-power-ought-to-be-distrusted-to-a/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [It's not enough to celebrate the ideals that we're built on, liberty and justice and equality for all. 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Which part of 'all' don't you understand?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-schroeder/the-pledge-of-allegiance-says-liberty-and-justice-for-all-which-part/) Pat Schroeder ## 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. 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