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 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...

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...

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...

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...

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly...

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly...

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.

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great...

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and...

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and...

I have no doubt but that the misery of the lower classes will be found...

I have no doubt but that the misery of the lower classes will be found...

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

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

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 rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection...

The rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection...

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...

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...

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,...

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

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...

I go on the principle that a public debt is a public curse, and in...

I go on the principle that a public debt is a public curse, and in...

A government can be no better than the public opinion which sustains it.

A government can be no better than the public opinion which sustains it.

Do not ask what the Government can do for you. Ask why it doesn't.

Do not ask what the Government can do for you. Ask why it doesn't.