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

Quote by James Madison

Topics: James Madison Quotes

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 men were angels, no government would be necessary.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

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...

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment,...

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment,...

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly...

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly...

War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures...

War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great...

Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free...

Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free...

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of...

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of...

I have no doubt but that the misery of the lower classes will be found...

I have no doubt but that the misery of the lower classes will be found...

And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one...

And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one...

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...

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...

There is no maxim, in my opinion, which is more liable to be misapplied, and...

There is no maxim, in my opinion, which is more liable to be misapplied, and...

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...

To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for...

To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for...

A good government implies two things: fidelity to the object of government, which is the...

A good government implies two things: fidelity to the object of government, which is the...

I believe in a kind of fidelity to your own early ideas; it's a kind...

I believe in a kind of fidelity to your own early ideas; it's a kind...

Sometimes party loyalty asks too much

Sometimes party loyalty asks too much

The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the...

The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the...

We have limited knowledge, or else science and philosophy would not be necessary.

We have limited knowledge, or else science and philosophy would not be necessary.