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

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...

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 standing army is one of the greatest mischief that can possibly happen

A standing army is one of the greatest mischief that can possibly happen

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

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

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

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 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.

Despotism can only exist in darkness, and there are too many lights now in the...

Despotism can only exist in darkness, and there are too many lights now in the...

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...

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,...

Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labor of...

Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labor of...

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to...

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to...

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,...

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

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...