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: Constitution Quotes, Government Quotes

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights...

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights...

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...

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to...

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to...

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

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...

The rights of man as the foundation of just Government had been long understood; but...

The rights of man as the foundation of just Government had been long understood; but...

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...

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

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...

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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 accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of...

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of...

By rendering the labor of one, the property of the other, they cherish pride, luxury,...

By rendering the labor of one, the property of the other, they cherish pride, luxury,...

The loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger,...

The loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger,...

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.