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

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,...

A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as...

A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as...

All that seems indispensible in stating the account between the dead and the living, is...

All that seems indispensible in stating the account between the dead and the living, is...

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...

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to...

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to...

A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a...

A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a...

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...

To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue...

To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue...

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...

Experience has proved that the real danger to America and to liberty lies in the...

Experience has proved that the real danger to America and to liberty lies in the...

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

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

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...

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which...

America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

One should never trust a woman who tells her real age. If she tells that,...

One should never trust a woman who tells her real age. If she tells that,...

Sometimes people decide to be just friends even their feeling is mutual. Not because love...

Sometimes people decide to be just friends even their feeling is mutual. Not because love...