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

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is...

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is...

Government destitute of energy, will ever produce anarchy.

Government destitute of energy, will ever produce anarchy.

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...

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men...

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men...

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...

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...

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 means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at...

The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of...

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of...

During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has...

During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has...

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...

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is...

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is...

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...

Truth is the glue that holds government together.

Truth is the glue that holds government together.

It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into...

It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into...