What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.

Quote by James Madison

Topics: Government Quotes

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

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...

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...

Every nation whose affairs betray a want of wisdom and stability may calculate on every...

Every nation whose affairs betray a want of wisdom and stability may calculate on every...

The Constitution of the United States was created by the people of the United States...

The Constitution of the United States was created by the people of the United States...

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 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...

Learned institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light...

Learned institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light...

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...

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...

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to...

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to...

The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the...

The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the...

Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe, until a trespass on the constitutional provisions...

Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe, until a trespass on the constitutional provisions...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.

It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his...

It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his...