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

Any reading not of a vicious species must be a good substitute for the amusements...

Any reading not of a vicious species must be a good substitute for the amusements...

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...

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...

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

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

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...

War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped...

War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is...

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is...

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence

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...

'A sound Conservative government,' said Taper, musingly. 'I understand: Tory men and Whig measures.'

'A sound Conservative government,' said Taper, musingly. 'I understand: Tory men and Whig measures.'

Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

When the candles are out all women are fair

When the candles are out all women are fair