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...

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by...

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by...

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,...

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...

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors...

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors...

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of...

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of...

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by...

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by...

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of...

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of...

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...

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

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,...

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...

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 purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores...

The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores...

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...

A standing army is one of the greatest mischief that can possibly happen

A standing army is one of the greatest mischief that can possibly happen

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.

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...

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...