The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: James Madison Quotes

To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue...

To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue...

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...

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...

The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that...

The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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 circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

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...

Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment...

Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment...

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.

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...

What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning,...

What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning,...

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 most fundamental purpose of government is defense, not empire.

The most fundamental purpose of government is defense, not empire.

Most of the time when people act out of defense, it's because they're guilty about...

Most of the time when people act out of defense, it's because they're guilty about...