Common Quotes by James Madison

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

— James Madison

Where a majority are united by a common sentiment, and have an opportunity, the rights of the minor party become insecure.

— James Madison

In suits at common law, trial by jury in civil cases is as essential to secure the liberty of the people as…

— James Madison

The most common and durable source of faction has been the various and unequal distribution of property.

— James Madison

When men exercise their reason coolly and freely, on a variety of distinct questions, they inevitably fall into different opinions, on some…

— James Madison

The people shall not be restrained from peacefully assembling and consulting for their common good, nor from applying to the legislature by…

— James Madison

By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are…

— James Madison

Extend the sphere and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority…

— James Madison

The free system of government we have established is so congenial with reason, with common sense, and with a universal feeling, that…

— James Madison

The aim of every political Constitution, is or ought to be first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to…

— James Madison

A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...[has] divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed…

— James Madison

[In a democracy] a common passion or interest will, in almost every case , be felt by a majority of the whole;…

— James Madison

So strong is this propensity of mankind to fall into mutual animosities, that where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous…

— James Madison

A pure democracy can admit no cure for the mischiefs of faction. A common passion or interest will be felt by a…

— James Madison

[T]he most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those…

— James Madison

There is in every breast a sensibility to marks of honor, of favor, of esteem, and of confidence, which, apart from all…

— James Madison

We may be assured by past experience, that such a practice [as some states charging high taxes on goods from other states]…

— James Madison

To refer the power in question to the clause "to provide for the common defense and general welfare" would be contrary to…

— James Madison

A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment…

— James Madison

In republican government the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this . . . is to divide the legislature into different…

— James Madison

A pure Democracy, by which I mean a Society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the Government…

— James Madison

I am unable to conceive that the state legislatures which must feel so many motives to watch, and which possess so many…

— James Madison