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 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...

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to...

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to...

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

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...

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted...

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted...

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...

Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe, until a trespass on the constitutional provisions...

Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe, until a trespass on the constitutional provisions...

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...

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every...

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every...

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

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...

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

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.

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

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...

The nation which reposes on the pillow of political confidence, will sooner or later end...

The nation which reposes on the pillow of political confidence, will sooner or later end...

Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions.

Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions.

If the United Nations is to survive, those who represent it must bolster it; those...

If the United Nations is to survive, those who represent it must bolster it; those...