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“Distrust naturally creates distrust, and by nothing is good will and kind conduct more speedily changed.”
― John Jay, The Federalist Papers
“Among the strange things of this world, nothing seems more strange than that men pursuing happiness should knowingly quit the right and take a wrong road, and frequently do what their judgments neither approve nor prefer.”
― John Jay
“Among the many objects to which a wise and free people find it necessary to direct their attention, that of providing for their safety seems to be the first.”
― John Jay, The Federalist Papers
“The wise and the good never form the majority of any large society and it seldom happens that their measures are uniformly adopted.... [All that wise and good men can do is] to persevere in doing their duty to their country and leave the consequences to him who made men only; neither elated by success, however great, nor discouraged by disappointments however frequent or mortifying.”
― John Jay
“It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting anything by it.”
― John Jay, The Federalist Papers
tags: gain, human-nature, nations, war
“We must go home to be happy, and our home is not in this world. Here we have nothing to do but our duty.”
― John Jay
“It has often given my pleasure to observe, that independent America was not composed of detached and distant territories, but that one connected fertile, wide-spreading country was the portion of our western sons of liberty. Providence has in a particular manner blessed it with a variety of soils and productions, and watered it with innumerable streams, for the delight and accommodation of its inhabitants. A succession of navigable waters form a kind of chain round its borders, as if to bind them together; while the most noble rivers in the world, running at convenient distances, present them with highways for the easy communication of friendly aids, and the mutual transportation of their various ties. With equal pleasure I have as often taken notice, that Providence has been pleased to give us this one connected country to one united people -a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs, and who, by they their joint counsels, arms, and efforts, fighting side by side throughout a long and bloody war, have nobly established general liberty and independence.”
― John Jay, The Federalist Papers
tags: fortune, similarity, strength
“Too many in your state [Pennsylvania], as in this [New York], love pure democracy dearly. They seem not to consider that pure democracy, like pure rum, easily produces intoxication, and with it a thousand mad pranks and fooleries.”
― John Jay
“Providence has given to our people the choice of their ruler, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. John Jay First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.”
― John Jay, Cliffs Notes on The Federalist
tags: christian, christian-nation, constitution, founders, history
“•With equal pleasure I have as often taken notice, that Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country, to one united people; a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs, and who, by their joint counsels, arms and efforts, fighting side by side throughout a long and bloody war, have nobly established their general Liberty and Independence.
•This country and this people seem to have been made for each other, and it appears as if it was the design of Providence, that an inheritance so proper and convenient for a band of brethren, united to each other by the strongest ties, should never be split into a number of unsocial, jealous, and alien sovereignties.”
― John Jay, Federalist no. 2
“To judge from the conduct of the opposite parties, we shall be led to conclude that they will mutually hope to evince the justness of their opinions, and to increase the number of their converts by the loudness of their declamations and the bitterness of their invectives. An enlightened zeal for the energy and efficiency of government will be stigmatized as the offspring of a temper fond of despotic power and hostile to the principles of liberty. An over-scrupulous jealousy of danger to the rights of the people, which is more commonly the fault of the head than of the heart, will be represented as mere pretense and artifice, the stale bait for popularity at the expense of the public good. It will be forgotten, on the one hand, that jealousy is the usual concomitant of love, and that the noble enthusiasm of liberty is apt to be infected with a spirit of narrow and illiberal distrust. On the other hand, it will be equally forgotten that the vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty; that, in the contemplation of a sound and well-informed judgment, their interest can never be separated; and that a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants. In”
― John Jay, The Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers
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Federalist no. 4
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Greetings, readers. As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of political philosophy, particularly the Federalist Papers and the broader context of the American founding, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the profound insights of John Jay. My extensive background includes an in-depth study of political theory, constitutional law, and the historical context surrounding the formation of the United States.
John Jay, one of the Founding Fathers and the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's early political landscape. His wisdom and foresight are evident in the quotes you've shared, which are primarily drawn from "The Federalist Papers." These papers, co-authored by Jay along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, were instrumental in advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
In the provided quotes, Jay touches upon several key concepts:
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Distrust and Good Will: Jay underscores the idea that distrust can be corrosive, leading to a breakdown of good will. This notion is crucial in understanding the challenges faced by the early American republic in fostering a sense of unity and cooperation.
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Pursuit of Happiness and Righteous Paths: Jay contemplates the paradox of individuals knowingly deviating from the right path in their pursuit of happiness. This introspective observation speaks to the complexities of human nature and the moral dilemmas inherent in the pursuit of personal satisfaction.
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Safety as a Priority: Highlighting the importance of safety, Jay emphasizes that among the various concerns of a wise and free people, ensuring their safety takes precedence. This aligns with the broader theme of the Federalist Papers, which sought to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation in providing for the common defense.
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The Nature of Nations and War: Jay's acknowledgment of the unfortunate truth that nations are prone to making war when there is a prospect of gain reflects a realistic appraisal of international relations and human behavior.
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Ownership and Governance: Jay succinctly asserts the principle that those who own the country should govern it, touching upon the foundational concept of representation and self-governance.
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The Role of Religion in Governance: Jay expresses the belief that it is the duty and privilege of a Christian nation to select Christian rulers. This sentiment reflects the intersection of religious and political values during the Founding era.
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Unity and Strength of the United States: Jay eloquently describes the providential design of the United States as a connected and united people, bound together by common ancestry, language, religion, and principles of government. This unity, he argues, is essential for the success of the fledgling nation.
These concepts collectively provide a glimpse into the intellectual landscape of the Founding Fathers and the challenges they grappled with in establishing a stable and just government. The Federalist Papers remain a timeless resource for understanding the philosophical underpinnings of the American constitutional experiment.
