In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: James Madison Quotes

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...

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

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...

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

A good government implies two things: fidelity to the object of government, which is the...

A good government implies two things: fidelity to the object of government, which is the...

Experience has proved that the real danger to America and to liberty lies in the...

Experience has proved that the real danger to America and to liberty lies in the...

Learned institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light...

Learned institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light...

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...

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...

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...

What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he...

What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he...

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of...

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of...

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...

Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded,...

Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded,...

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

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

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

The principles and modes of governments are too important to be disregarded by an inquisitive...

The principles and modes of governments are too important to be disregarded by an inquisitive...

Whenever a youth is ascertained to possess talents meriting an education which his parents cannot...

Whenever a youth is ascertained to possess talents meriting an education which his parents cannot...

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...

The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is...

The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is...