Ought Quotes by James Madison

The truth was that all men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

— James Madison

[I]t is the reason alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government.

— James Madison

Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things, be proper or safe judges, whether a war ought…

— James Madison

Having outlived so many of my contemporaries, I ought not to forget that I may be thought to have outlived myself.

— James Madison

There is not a more important and fundamental principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the…

— James Madison

There is an evil which ought to be guarded against in the indefinite accumulation of property from the capacity of holding it…

— James Madison

Landholders ought to have a share in the government to support these invaluable interests and check the other many. They ought to…

— 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

Every man who loves peace, every man who loves his country, every man who loves liberty ought to have it ever before…

— James Madison

The passions, therefore, not the reason, of the public would sit in judgment. But it is the reason, alone, of the public,…

— James Madison

You give me a credit to which I have no claim in calling me "the writer of the Constitution of the United…

— James Madison

I regret, as much as any member, the unavoidable weight and duration of the burdens to be imposed; having never been a…

— James Madison

The rich man, when contributing to a permanent plan for the education of the poor, ought to reflect that he is providing…

— James Madison

The infant periods of most nations are buried in silence or veiled in fable; and the world perhaps has lost but little…

— James Madison

Frequent elections are unquestionably the only policy by which this dependence and sympathy can be effectually secured. But what particular degree of…

— James Madison

Among the features peculiar to the political system of the United States, is the perfect equality of rights which it secures to…

— James Madison

[A]ll power is originally vested in, and consequently derived from, the people. That government is instituted and ought to be exercised for…

— James Madison

Waiving the rights of conscience, not included in the surrender implied by the social state, & more or less invaded by all…

— James Madison

There is not a more important and fundamental principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the…

— James Madison

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

— James Madison

The liberal appropriations made by the legislature of Kentucky for a general system of education cannot be too much applauded . .…

— James Madison

there ought always to be a constitutional method of giving efficacy to constitutional provisions. What for instance would avail restrictions on the…

— James Madison

If there be a principle that ought not to be questioned within the United States, it is that every man has a…

— James Madison

It may be considered as an objection inherent in the principle, that as every appeal to the people would carry an implication…

— James Madison

[Regarding legislative assemblies,] the number ought at most to be kept within a certain limit, in order to avoid the confusion and…

— 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…

— James Madison

The public affairs of the union are spread throughout a very extensive region, and are extremely diversified by the local affairs connected…

— James Madison

The danger of silent accumulations & encroachments by Ecclesiastical Bodies have not sufficiently engaged attention in the U.S. [...] Besides the danger…

— James Madison

In proportion to the value of this revolution; in proportion to the importance of instruments, every word of which decides a question…

— James Madison

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

— James Madison

In civilized communities, property as well as personal rights is an essential object of the laws, which encourage industry by securing the…

— James Madison