I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: James Madison Quotes

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...

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...

Government destitute of energy, will ever produce anarchy.

Government destitute of energy, will ever produce anarchy.

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...

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...

To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for...

To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for...

In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of...

In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of...

Respect for character is always diminished in proportion to the number among whom the blame...

Respect for character is always diminished in proportion to the number among whom the blame...

Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labor of...

Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labor of...

I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital...

I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital...

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,...

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 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...

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

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

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...

The internal effects of a mutable policy poisons the blessings of liberty itself.

The internal effects of a mutable policy poisons the blessings of liberty itself.

The capacity of the female mind for studies of the highest order cannot be doubted,...

The capacity of the female mind for studies of the highest order cannot be doubted,...

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be...

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must...

Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other...

Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other...