The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: Government Quotes

The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example...

The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example...

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of...

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse 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...

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

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

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...

A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as...

A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which...

America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which...

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 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,...

Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded,...

Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded,...

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.