The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: Government Quotes

War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped...

War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped...

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...

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...

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free...

Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free...

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment,...

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment,...

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...

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 cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted...

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted...

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...

A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a...

A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

All of the books in the world contain no more information than is broadcast as...

All of the books in the world contain no more information than is broadcast as...

The pejorative term 'political correctness' was adapted to express disapproval of the enlargement of etiquette...

The pejorative term 'political correctness' was adapted to express disapproval of the enlargement of etiquette...

America - It is a fabulous country, the only fabulous country; it is the only...

America - It is a fabulous country, the only fabulous country; it is the only...

We can teach from our experience, but we cannot teach experience.

We can teach from our experience, but we cannot teach experience.