If men were angels, no government would be necessary.
JAMES MADISONA popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.
More James Madison Quotes
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All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.
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A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.
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Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.
JAMES MADISON -
To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.
JAMES MADISON -
A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country.
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What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning, each leaning on the other for their mutual and surest support?
JAMES MADISON -
In no instance have… the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people.
JAMES MADISON -
That part of America which had encouraged them most had advanced most rapidly in population, agriculture and the arts.
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As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.
JAMES MADISON -
I have no doubt but that the misery of the lower classes will be found to abate whenever the Government assumes a freer aspect and the laws favor a subdivision of Property.
JAMES MADISON -
Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people.
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Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.
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The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.
JAMES MADISON -
What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he knows not that his plans may be rendered unlawful before they can be executed?
JAMES MADISON -
Americans have the right and advantage of being armed – unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.
JAMES MADISON