---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who are the militia? Are they not…"
description: "\"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?,\" — Tench Coxe"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tench-coxe-47648_funny_who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselv_1001059.jpg"
---

#  Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?,

![“Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?,” quote by Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tench-coxe-47648_funny_who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselv_1001059.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tench-coxe-47648_funny_who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselv_1001059.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tench-coxe-47648_funny_who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselv_1001059.jpg)

> “Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?,”

[Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

## About This Quote

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

The militia is a reflection of the people themselves, implying that the citizen-soldier embodies the nation’s character.

**In simple terms:** People are the militia; they represent the nation.

Key Takeaway

Consider how personal responsibility shapes collective security.

Themes

citizenship identity collective responsibility

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

- national defense
- civic duty
- community building

Key Concepts

political theory social contract

Questions to Reflect On

- What responsibilities do citizens have in protecting their community?
- How does personal character affect collective defense?

A Different Perspective

Overlooking individual agency can weaken the militia concept.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Militia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/militia/)

## Related quotes

> [The militia, who are in fact the effective part of the people at large, will render many troops quite unecessary. They will form a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/the-militia-who-are-in-fact-the-effective-part-of-the-people-at-large/)

[Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

> [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/)

> [Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his own bosom.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselves-is-it-feared-then-that-we/)

[Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

> [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/)

> [An armed and trained militia is the firmest bulwark of republics - that without standing armies their liberty can never be in danger, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/an-armed-and-trained-militia-is-the-firmest-bulwark-of-republics-that/)

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

> [All the people constitute the militia - according to the Founding Fathers. Therefore every able-bodied man has a duty under the Constitution to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/all-the-people-constitute-the-militia-according-to-the-founding/)

[Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/)

> [The purpose of the right to bear arms is twofold; to allow individuals to protect themselves and their families, and to ensure a body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/the-purpose-of-the-right-to-bear-arms-is-twofold-to-allow-individuals/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [It is always dangerous to the liberties of the people to have an army stationed among them, over which they have no control ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/it-is-always-dangerous-to-the-liberties-of-the-people-to-have-an-army/)

[Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/)

> [The militia is a voluntary force not associated or under the control of the States except when called out; \[ when called into actual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-militia-is-a-voluntary-force-not-associated-or-under-the-control/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [Who are the militia, if they be not the people, of this country...? I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/who-are-the-militia-if-they-be-not-the-people-of-this-country-i-ask/)

[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 militia of which the Second Amendment speaks is not the National Guard, but the assembly of patriots who are willing to gather to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-nell-hughes/the-militia-of-which-the-second-amendment-speaks-is-not-the-national/)

[Scottie Nell Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-nell-hughes/)

> [A 'well regulated militia' was thus one that was well-trained and equipped, not one that was 'well-regulated' in the modern sense of being subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/a-well-regulated-militia-was-thus-one-that-was-well-trained-and/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [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 Tench Coxe

> [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/)

> [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/)

> [Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his own bosom.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselves-is-it-feared-then-that-we/)

[Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

> [As our president bears no resemblance to a king so we shall see the Senate has no similitude to nobles. First, not being hereditary,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/as-our-president-bears-no-resemblance-to-a-king-so-we-shall-see-the/)

[Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

> [The power of the sword, say the minority... is in the hands of Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/the-power-of-the-sword-say-the-minority-is-in-the-hands-of-congress/)

[Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

> [The militia, who are in fact the effective part of the people at large, will render many troops quite unecessary. They will form a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/the-militia-who-are-in-fact-the-effective-part-of-the-people-at-large/)

[Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

> [Every free man has a right to the use of the press, so he has to the use of his arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/every-free-man-has-a-right-to-the-use-of-the-press-so-he-has-to-the/)

[Tench Coxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

[Explore all 8 Tench Coxe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/)

## More Amendment quotes

> [There are a lot of people who want to retain the Eighth Amendment - I don't agree with that view myself - there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-want-to-retain-the-eighth-amendment-i/)

[Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/)

> [“Let's just make this easy. I'm in favor of a Constitutional amendment that would read something like this: 'Neither the federal government, nor any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-boortz/let-s-just-make-this-easy-i-m-in-favor-of-a-constitutional-amendment/)

[Neal Boortz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-boortz/)

> [If you reduce the guns and the ammo, you'll reduce the murders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-you-reduce-the-guns-and-the-ammo-you-ll-reduce-the-murders/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [Gun control laws don't work. What is worse, they act perversely. While legitimate users of firearms encounter intense regulation, scrutiny and bureaucratic control, illicit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-polsby/gun-control-laws-don-t-work-what-is-worse-they-act-perversely-while/)

Daniel D. Polsby

> [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/)

[Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/)

> [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/)

[Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/)

> [Guns aren't the problem; sick people are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/guns-aren-t-the-problem-sick-people-are/)

[Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/)

> [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/)

[Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/)

> [Gun violence has cost us too many political leaders, and hardly ever the worst ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/gun-violence-has-cost-us-too-many-political-leaders-and-hardly-ever/)

[P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/)

> [I don't think anybody who carries a rifle carries the future. Because I don't believe that you can really change the world by killing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/i-don-t-think-anybody-who-carries-a-rifle-carries-the-future-because/)

[Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/)

> [“my folks wouldn't read a book if you put a gun to their dicks. but they read people all day long and always get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/my-folks-wouldn-t-read-a-book-if-you-put-a-gun-to-their-dicks-but/)

[Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/)

> [Anybody who pretends that how you read the 10th and 11th Amendment doesn't have a fundamental impact on the things we care about is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/anybody-who-pretends-that-how-you-read-the-10th-and-11th-amendment/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country. I think it's important for us to recognize that we've got a tradition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-we-have-two-conflicting-traditions-in-this-country-i-think-it/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Country lyrics often reference the NRA and firearms ownership as a way of life. Artists such as John Rich, Toby Keith, Sara Evans and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-pavlich/country-lyrics-often-reference-the-nra-and-firearms-ownership-as-a/)

[Katie Pavlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-pavlich/)

> [“People who have attended Concealed Carry classes, and those already licensed, typically seem to demonstrate a higher degree of courtesy, responsibility and respect. Interestingly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-behr/people-who-have-attended-concealed-carry-classes-and-those-already/)

[Gary Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-behr/)

[Browse all 2,041 Amendment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?,",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tench Coxe"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselves/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Amendment"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselves/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tench-coxe-47648_funny_who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselv_1001059.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tench-coxe-47648_funny_who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselv_1001059.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tench-coxe-47648_funny_who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselv_1001059.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?,” — Tench Coxe",
                "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": "Tench Coxe",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tench-coxe/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Who are the militia? Are they...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselves/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tench-coxe/who-are-the-militia-are-they-not-ourselves/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
