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

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

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...

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and...

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and...

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...

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

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

Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the...

Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the...

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.

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights...

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights...

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

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

It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be...

It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be...

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...

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and...

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and...

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...

The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.

The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.

By rendering the labor of one, the property of the other, they cherish pride, luxury,...

By rendering the labor of one, the property of the other, they cherish pride, luxury,...

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,...

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 circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

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

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...