---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...we should never think of separation…"
description: "\"“...we should never think of separation except for repeated and enormous violations”\" — James Madison"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/635/james-madison-373_divorce_we-should-never-think-of-separation-exce_992289.png"
---

#  ...we should never think of separation except for repeated…

![“...we should never think of separation except for repeated and enormous violations” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/635/james-madison-373_divorce_we-should-never-think-of-separation-exce_992289.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/635/james-madison-373_divorce_we-should-never-think-of-separation-exce_992289.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/635/james-madison-373_divorce_we-should-never-think-of-separation-exce_992289.png)

> ““...we should never think of separation except for repeated and enormous violations””

[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.

Separation should be a last resort, only after severe violations, not a default stance.

**In simple terms:** Separate only after serious breaches.

Key Takeaway

Reserve separation for extreme cases.

Themes

politics justice rights

Mood

serious thoughtful

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- legal reforms
- civil rights movements
- international law
- community governance

Key Concepts

social contract civil liberties government authority

Questions to Reflect On

- When is separation justified?
- What alternatives exist before separation?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on separation can ignore possibilities for reconciliation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Divorce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divorce/) [Enormous Violations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enormous-violations-2038897/) [Repeated Enormous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repeated-enormous-2038899/) [Separation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation/) [Separation Repeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-repeated-2038898/) [Think Separation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-separation-1501220/)

## Related quotes

> [After I made my tour in the Middle, into the Middle-East and Africa and visited Mecca and other places, I think that the separation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/after-i-made-my-tour-in-the-middle-into-the-middle-east-and-africa/)

[Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/)

> [The civil Government, though bereft of every thing like an associated hierarchy, possesses the requisite stability, and performs its functions with complete success; whilst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-civil-government-though-bereft-of-every-thing-like-an-associated/)

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

> [ The Constitution expressly and exclusively vests in the Legislature the power of declaring a state of war \[and\] the power of raising armies… A… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-constitution-expressly-and-exclusively-vests-in-the-legislature/)

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

> [Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/strongly-guarded-as-is-the-separation-between-religion-and-government/)

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

> [“If you think that your partner has been cheating, then take a look at their will. If a past lover is in there, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/if-you-think-that-your-partner-has-been-cheating-then-take-a-look-at/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [“You don’t understand. I need the separation,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-michaels/you-don-t-understand-i-need-the-separation/)

[N. Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-michaels/)

> [Early love is exciting and exhilarating. It's light and bubbly. Anyone can love like that. But after three children, after a separation and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liane-moriarty/early-love-is-exciting-and-exhilarating-it-s-light-and-bubbly-anyone/)

[Liane Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liane-moriarty/)

> [Sometimes this world comes between us and what we love. But if we are patient, when this world passes away, there will be no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/sometimes-this-world-comes-between-us-and-what-we-love-but-if-we-are/)

[Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/)

> [There is a time to separate from our mother. But unless we are ready to separate-unless we are ready to leave her and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-viorst/there-is-a-time-to-separate-from-our-mother-but-unless-we-are-ready/)

[Judith Viorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-viorst/)

> [We probably stagnate our children's emotional growth by not letting them have some separation from us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/we-probably-stagnate-our-children-s-emotional-growth-by-not-letting/)

[Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/)

> [Only a Few Lovers can feel d Pain of Separation, Othrs Just find Another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/only-a-few-lovers-can-feel-d-pain-of-separation-othrs-just-find/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [During their separation, something had happened to Annabeth's feelings. They'd grown painfully intense-like she'd been forced to withdraw from a life-saving medication. Now she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/during-their-separation-something-had-happened-to-annabeth-s-feelings/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [That's all that death is ... Just a going away into another country ... Only the separation is harder to bear because there can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-fellows-johnston/that-s-all-that-death-is-just-a-going-away-into-another-country-only/)

[Annie Fellows Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-fellows-johnston/)

> [“Separation isn’t time or distance it’s the bridge between us finer than silk thread sharper than swords”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naz-m-hikmet/separation-isn-t-time-or-distance-it-s-the-bridge-between-us-finer/)

[Nazım Hikmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naz-m-hikmet/)

> [Every woman I have ever loved has left her print upon me, where I loved some invaluable piece of myself apart from me-so different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/every-woman-i-have-ever-loved-has-left-her-print-upon-me-where-i/)

[Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/)

## 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 Divorce quotes

> [Every woman I have ever loved has left her print upon me, where I loved some invaluable piece of myself apart from me-so different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/every-woman-i-have-ever-loved-has-left-her-print-upon-me-where-i/)

[Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/)

> [I had a pretty public divorce. They're not easy - divorces - and it took me a long time to really get through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-had-a-pretty-public-divorce-they-re-not-easy-divorces-and-it-took/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [Divorce isn't such a tragedy. A tragedy's staying in an unhappy marriage, teaching your children the wrong things about love. Nobody ever died of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-weiner/divorce-isn-t-such-a-tragedy-a-tragedy-s-staying-in-an-unhappy/)

[Jennifer Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-weiner/)

> [If I told my wife I was going to become a manager she'd say 'sign this then. Don't worry it's only a divorce. Au…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ginola/if-i-told-my-wife-i-was-going-to-become-a-manager-she-d-say-sign-this/)

[David Ginola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ginola/)

> [It is a sad fact that 50 percent of marriages in this country end in divorce. But hey, the other half end in death.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-jeni/it-is-a-sad-fact-that-50-percent-of-marriages-in-this-country-end-in/)

[Richard Jeni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-jeni/)

> [“Jesus and Paul knew the Old Testament completely. Their comments about divorce were meant to add to, not replace or change, what was already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-abbott/jesus-and-paul-knew-the-old-testament-completely-their-comments-about/)

[Caroline Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-abbott/)

> [Everyone knows that when you go through a divorce, it's a really difficult time for both parties and you've all - you believe, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-mills/everyone-knows-that-when-you-go-through-a-divorce-it-s-a-really/)

[Heather Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-mills/)

> [Those who divorce aren't necessarily the most unhappy, just those neatly able to believe their misery is caused by one other person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/those-who-divorce-aren-t-necessarily-the-most-unhappy-just-those/)

[Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/)

> [I've been through hell. It's hard to think you have this life, and then all of a sudden - was it a lie? You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elin-nordegren/i-ve-been-through-hell-it-s-hard-to-think-you-have-this-life-and-then/)

[Elin Nordegren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elin-nordegren/)

> [Divorce is so common and accepted in America that beating myself up over it may sound ridiculous. But I was raised to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trisha-yearwood/divorce-is-so-common-and-accepted-in-america-that-beating-myself-up/)

[Trisha Yearwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trisha-yearwood/)

> [“Separation isn’t time or distance it’s the bridge between us finer than silk thread sharper than swords”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naz-m-hikmet/separation-isn-t-time-or-distance-it-s-the-bridge-between-us-finer/)

[Nazım Hikmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naz-m-hikmet/)

> [“It’s a fallacy that this generation does not know how to love as its predecessor did. Truth of the matter is, modern love is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/it-s-a-fallacy-that-this-generation-does-not-know-how-to-love-as-its/)

[Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/)

> [“To keep myself from harming or calling N and to stave off the rage and despair, I focus on my extraordinary son, drink midrange…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-finnamore/to-keep-myself-from-harming-or-calling-n-and-to-stave-off-the-rage/)

[Suzanne Finnamore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-finnamore/)

> [“There are some who said I should have fought harder or longer than I did for my marriage, but in the end fighting for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-mclain/there-are-some-who-said-i-should-have-fought-harder-or-longer-than-i/)

[Paula McLain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-mclain/)

> [“For me, it´s sloth," I say. "Hedonistic sloth and escapism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-finnamore/for-me-it-s-sloth-i-say-hedonistic-sloth-and-escapism/)

[Suzanne Finnamore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-finnamore/)

[Browse all 2,051 Divorce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divorce/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“...we should never think of separation except for repeated and enormous violations”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "James Madison"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/we-should-never-think-of-separation-except-for-repeated-and-enormous/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Divorce"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/we-should-never-think-of-separation-except-for-repeated-and-enormous/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/635/james-madison-373_divorce_we-should-never-think-of-separation-exce_992289.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/635/james-madison-373_divorce_we-should-never-think-of-separation-exce_992289.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/635/james-madison-373_divorce_we-should-never-think-of-separation-exce_992289.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“...we should never think of separation except for repeated and enormous violations” — 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": "“...we should never think of separation...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/we-should-never-think-of-separation-except-for-repeated-and-enormous/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/we-should-never-think-of-separation-except-for-repeated-and-enormous/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```