On a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of power, by the majority, trampling on the rights of the minority, have produced factions and commotions which, in republics, have, more frequently than any other

Quote by James Madison

Topics: History Quotes

The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at...

The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at...

The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that...

The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that...

The personal right to acquire property, which is a natural right, gives to property, when...

The personal right to acquire property, which is a natural right, gives to property, when...

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to...

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to...

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of...

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of...

Perhaps it is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to...

Perhaps it is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to...

Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the...

Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the...

If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they...

If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they...

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild...

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild...

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be...

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be...

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights...

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights...

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be...

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be...

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of...

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of...

Any reading not of a vicious species must be a good substitute for the amusements...

Any reading not of a vicious species must be a good substitute for the amusements...

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted...

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted...

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

The rights of man as the foundation of just Government had been long understood; but...

The rights of man as the foundation of just Government had been long understood; but...

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human...

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human...

If human beings are fundamentally good, no government is necessary; if they are fundamentally bad,...

If human beings are fundamentally good, no government is necessary; if they are fundamentally bad,...