James Madison

“The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy.”

“The rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted.”

“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”

“I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”

“The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.”

“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.”

“And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.”

“I entirely concur in the propriety of resorting to the sense in which the Constitution was accepted and ratified by the nation. In that sense alone it is the legitimate Constitution.”

“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.”

“A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as would provide for the permanent liberty and happiness of the United States.”

“Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.”

“Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages.”

“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.”

“A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.”

“The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.”

“The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world.”

“What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?”

“In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.”

“The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.”

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”