Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be…

Quote by James Madison

Topics: Liberty Quotes

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...

All that seems indispensible in stating the account between the dead and the living, is...

All that seems indispensible in stating the account between the dead and the living, 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...

The loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger,...

The loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger,...

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...

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

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

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...

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble...

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble...

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...

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...

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.

And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one...

And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one...

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...

On a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of...

On a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of...

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...

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...

Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man...

Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man...

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government

Some people feel that others believe in God because they fear death. Why should I...

Some people feel that others believe in God because they fear death. Why should I...

This new concept ought to be elaborated alongside the religions, in such a way that...

This new concept ought to be elaborated alongside the religions, in such a way that...