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

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble...

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble...

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...

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild...

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild...

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 truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted

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

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

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

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

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 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 class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment,...

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment,...

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.

A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

The Constitution of the United States was created by the people of the United States...

The Constitution of the United States was created by the people of the United States...

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...

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...

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...

The safety and happiness of society are the objects at which all political institutions aim,...

The safety and happiness of society are the objects at which all political institutions aim,...

Each has his own happiness in his hands, as the artist handles the rude clay...

Each has his own happiness in his hands, as the artist handles the rude clay...

Be happy. It's one way of being wise.

Be happy. It's one way of being wise.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else.

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else.

The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property.

The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property.