If man is not fit to govern himself, how can he be fit to govern someone else? — James Madison Copy Share Image
In all great changes of established governments, forms ought to give way to substance — James Madison Copy Share Image
Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government. — James Madison Copy Share Image
[I]t is the reason alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government. — James Madison Copy Share Image
The problem to be solved is, not what form of government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect. — James Madison Copy Share Image
Oppressors can tyrannize only when they achieve a standing army, an enslaved press, and a disarmed populace. — James Madison Copy Share Image
The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State… — James Madison Copy Share Image
A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person. — James Madison Copy Share Image
Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one. — James Madison Copy Share Image
Americans need not fear the federal government because they enjoy the advantage of being armed, which you possess over the people of… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The nation which reposes on the pillow of political confidence, will sooner or later end its political existence in a deadly lethargy. — James Madison Copy Share Image
A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of… — James Madison Copy Share Image
That useful alterations will be suggested by experience, could not but be foreseen . . . . It moreover equally enables the… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The ultimate authority resides in the people, and that if the federal government got too powerful and overstepped its authority, then the… — James Madison Copy Share Image
History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The powers of the federal government ... result from the compact to which the states are parties, [and are] limited by the… — James Madison Copy Share Image
What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.… — James Madison Copy Share Image
We have seen that the tendency of republican governments is to an aggrandizement of the legislative at the expense of the other… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The powers of the federal government are enumerated; it can only operate in certain cases; it has legislative powers on defined and… — James Madison Copy Share Image
“It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The important distinction so well understood in America between a constitution established by the people, and unalterable by the government; and a… — James Madison Copy Share Image
A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment… — James Madison Copy Share Image
I, sir, have always conceived - I believe those who proposed the constitution conceived,and it is still more fully known, and more… — James Madison Copy Share Image
If we resort for a criterion to the different principles on which different forms of government are established, we may define a… — James Madison Copy Share Image
I have received your letter of the 6th, with the eloquent discourse delivered at the consecration of the Jewish Synagogue. Having ever… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The first question that offers itself is, whether the general form and aspect of the government be strictly republican? It is evident… — James Madison Copy Share Image
As compacts, charters of government are superior in obligation to all others, because they give effect to all others. As truths, none… — James Madison Copy Share Image
“The man who is possessed of wealth, who lolls on his sofa, or rolls in his carriage, cannot judge of the wants… — James Madison Copy Share Image
“From this view of the subject it may be concluded that a pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The truth was that all men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree. — James Madison Copy Share Image
What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? — James Madison Copy Share Image
The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. — James Madison Copy Share Image
“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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
The definition of the right of suffrage is very justly regarded as a fundamental article of republican government. — James Madison Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
“... But besides the danger of a direct mixture of Religion & civil Government , there is an evil which ought to be guarded… — James Madison Copy Share Image
![“[I]t is the reason alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d24/james-madison-373_government_i-t-is-the-reason-alone-of-the-public-th_2548852.jpg)
![“The powers of the federal government ... result from the compact to which the states are parties, [and are] limited by the plain sense and intention of the instrument constituting that compact.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aeb/james-madison-373_compact_the-powers-of-the-federal-government-res_2945802.jpg)
![“Religion [is] the basis and foundation of Government” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e4d/james-madison-373_bases_religion-is-the-basis-and-foundation-of_729493.jpg)
![“It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country its truest and most durable celebrity.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/964/james-madison-373_certain_it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-intere_22217.jpg)
