Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: Government Quotes

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...

What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning,...

What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning,...

The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.

The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.

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...

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and...

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and...

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

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

The nation which reposes on the pillow of political confidence, will sooner or later end...

The nation which reposes on the pillow of political confidence, will sooner or later end...

Government destitute of energy, will ever produce anarchy.

Government destitute of energy, will ever produce anarchy.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

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...

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

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

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,...

The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is...

The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is...

Whenever a youth is ascertained to possess talents meriting an education which his parents cannot...

Whenever a youth is ascertained to possess talents meriting an education which his parents cannot...

It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be...

It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be...

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...

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...

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...

The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and...

The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and...

No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but...

No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but...