Arresting Quotes by James Madison

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

— James Madison

Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate…

— James Madison

The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments…

— James Madison

How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…

— James Madison

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed,…

— James Madison

It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country…

— James Madison

Since it is impossible for the people spontaneously and universally, to move in concert towards their object; and it is therefore essential, that such…

— James Madison

The definition of the right of suffrage is very justly regarded as a fundamental article of republican government.

— James Madison

The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.

— James Madison

They can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass…

— James Madison

The effect of a representative democracy is to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body…

— James Madison

“... But besides the danger of a direct mixture of Religion & civil Government , there is an evil which ought to be guarded…

— James Madison

Although all men are born free, slavery has been the general lot of the human race. Ignorant--they have been cheated; asleep--they have been surprised;…

— James Madison

“It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government…

— James Madison

The better proof of reverence for that holy name would be not to profane it by making it a topic of legislative discussion…

— James Madison