A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: Government Quotes

The internal effects of a mutable policy poisons the blessings of liberty itself.

The internal effects of a mutable policy poisons the blessings of liberty itself.

On a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of...

On a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of...

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by...

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by...

Despotism can only exist in darkness, and there are too many lights now in the...

Despotism can only exist in darkness, and there are too many lights now in the...

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...

Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded,...

Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded,...

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government

In all great changes of established governments, forms ought to give way to substance

In all great changes of established governments, forms ought to give way to substance

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...

What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he...

What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he...

Every nation whose affairs betray a want of wisdom and stability may calculate on every...

Every nation whose affairs betray a want of wisdom and stability may calculate on every...

Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other...

Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must...

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...

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...

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men...

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men...

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the...

The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the...

I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital...

I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital...