A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: Government Quotes

Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labor of...

Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labor of...

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...

Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man...

Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man...

Learned institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light...

Learned institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light...

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...

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

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...

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

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...

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors...

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors...

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of...

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of...

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

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

A standing army is one of the greatest mischief that can possibly happen

A standing army is one of the greatest mischief that can possibly happen

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

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,...

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...

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 circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

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

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...

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

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