15+ John Jay Quotes From One Of America's Founding Fathers

John Jay was a revolutionary figure marked in the history of the United States of America.

Jay John lived from 12 December 1745 until 17 May 1829, and was one of the Revolutionary leaders of the Federalist party who participated in the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788. One of the reasons why he is called a Founding Father of America, he was born on 12 December, 1745, John Jay came to be known as the Governor of New York and the first Chief Justice of the United States.

He was also known as an American statesman, a negotiator, and the signatory of the 1783 Paris treaty. "No power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent", was one of the best quotes by Jay John that still echoes in the ears of the citizens as he served the various offices since 1774-1795.  Being a Federalist, he wrote an essay for The Federalist Papers which followed into a series of 85 essays that argued the ratification of the United States Constitution.

The list below has John Jay Federalist quotes and famous quotes from American history or quotes from the Federalist papers like, "Those who own the country ought to govern it", and more. If you want more, check John Witherspoon quotes and Andrew Jackson quotes.

This quote list focuses on a few New York or American articles of confederation quotes that proved to be historic in nature.

1. "It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished."

- John Jay, 'Federalist Paper', 1787.

2. "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, 'Federalist Paper', 1787.

3. "Almost all nations have peace or war at the will and pleasure of rulers whom they do not elect, and who are not always wise or virtuous."

- John Jay.

4. "As a nation, we have made peace and war: as a nation, we have vanquished our common enemies: as a nation, we have formed alliances, and made treaties, and entered into various compacts and conventions with foreign States."

- John Jay,'Federalist Paper', 1787.

5. "This country and these people seem to have been made for each other, united to each other by the strongest ties, should never be split into a number of unsocial, jealous, and alien sovereignties."

- John Jay, 'Federalist Paper', 1787.

People believed the phrase "no power on earth has a right to take our property" in its totality only because of John Jay.

6. "No power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent."

- John Jay.

7. "To all general purposes, we have uniformly been one people; each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection."

- John Jay.

8. "Washington's just and serene ascendancy was the lambent flame in which these beneficent powers were fused, and nothing less than that ascendancy could have ridden the whirlwind and directed the storm that burst around him."

- John Jay.

9. "Distrust naturally creates distrust, and by nothing is goodwill and kind conduct more speedily changed."

- John Jay, 'Federalist Paper', 1787.

10. "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.

11. "Our people had been so long accustomed to the practice and convenience of having slaves, that very few among them even doubted the propriety and rectitude of it."

- John Jay.

Born on 12 December, this former Governor of New York inspired many individuals. Check below for inspirational John Jay quotes on religion, nations in general, and duty as well. So, check out his best quotes below.

12. "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, 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.

13. "Those who own the country ought to govern it."

- John Jay.

14. "Men should pray and fight for their own freedom, and yet keep others in slavery, is certainly acting a very inconsistent, as well as unjust and, perhaps, impious part, but the history of mankind is filled with instances of human improprieties."

- John Jay.

15. "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, 'Federalist Paper', 1787.

16. "It is presumed, that juries are the best judges of facts; it is, on the other hand, presumed that courts are the best judges of law."

- John Jay.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for John Jay quotes then why not take a look at Harry Truman quotes, or Woodrow Wilson quotes?