If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they ought to be gotten from those philosophic and patriotic citizens who cultivate their reason.
JAMES MADISONPhilosophy is common sense with big words.
More James Madison Quotes
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America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity.
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Whenever a youth is ascertained to possess talents meriting an education which his parents cannot afford, he should be carried forward at the public expense.
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The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the state governments, in times of peace and security.
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Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations.
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In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.
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Despotism can only exist in darkness, and there are too many lights now in the political firmament to permit it to remain anywhere, as it has heretofore done, almost everywhere.
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The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.
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Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.
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Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.
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If men were angels, no government would be necessary.
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The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
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The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.
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The personal right to acquire property, which is a natural right, gives to property, when acquired, a right to protection, as a social right.
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The protection of these faculties is the first object of government.
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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.
JAMES MADISON