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Constitution Quotes by James Madison

102 Constitution quotes by James Madison

All Constitution quotes James Madison’s page

Madison’s deep dive into the Constitution offers a masterclass in political theory. With a hundred‑plus reflections, the “Father of the Constitution” unpacks the nuances of federalism, checks and balances, and the protection of individual liberties.

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The Constitution of the U.S. forbids everything like an establishment of a national religion.

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The Convention thought it wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could be property in men.

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The express authority of the people alone could give validity to the Constitution.

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Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.

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[N]o religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

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The purpose of the Constitution is to restrict the majority's ability to harm a minority.

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No power over the freedom of religion [is] delegated to the United States by the Constitution.

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Our Constitution represents the work of the finger of Almighty God.

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[In the case of] dangerous exercise of other powers, not granted by the said compact, the states, who are parties thereto, have…

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In no part of the Constitution is more wisdom to be found than in the clause which confides the question of war…

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“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power…

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The Constitution of the United States was created by the people of the United States composing the respective states, who alone had…

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Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end…

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The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments…

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A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms…

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Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by…

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As the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial departments of the United States are co-ordinate, and each equally bound to support the Constitution, it…

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[A]s it must be admitted that the remedy under the Constitution lies where it has been marked out by the Constitution; and…

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If it be asked what is to restrain the House of Representatives from making legal discriminations in favor of themselves and a…

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On any other hypothesis, the delegation of judicial power would annul the authority delegating it; and the concurrence of this department with…

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We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked…

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I entirely concur in the propriety of resorting to the sense in which the Constitution was accepted and ratified by the nation.…

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In the first place, it is to be remembered, that the general government is not to be charged with the whole power…

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I acknowledge, in the ordinary course of government, that the exposition of the laws and Constitution devolves upon the judicial. But I…

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The proposed constitution, therefore, even when tested by the rules laid down by its antagonists, is, in strictness, neither a national nor…

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There is one view of the subject which ought to have its influence on those who espouse doctrines which strike at the…

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The Constitution expressly and exclusively vests in the Legislature the power of declaring a state of war [and] the power of raising…

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[T]he bill exceeds the rightful authority to which governments are limited by the essential distinction between civil and religious functions, and violates…

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May it not be asked of every intelligent friend to the liberties of his country, whether the power exercised in such an…

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...to support the Constitution, which is the cement of the Union, as well in its limitations as in its authorities; to respect…

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To what expedient then shall we finally resort, for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as…

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It is superfluous to try by the standards of theory, a part of the constitution which is allowed on all hands to…

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The proposed Constitution is, in strictness, neither a national nor a federal constitution; but a composition of both.

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To consider the degree of concord which ultimately prevailed as less than a miracle.

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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

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A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution.

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No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment…

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The Federal Constitution forms a happy combination in this respect; the great and aggregate interests being referred to the national, the local…

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In all the co-temporary discussions and comments, which the Constitution underwent, it was constantly justified and recommended on the ground, that the…

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

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More 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…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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;…

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

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

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