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

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...

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...

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...

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of...

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of...

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...

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...

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

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

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.

In all great changes of established governments, forms ought to give way to substance

In all great changes of established governments, forms ought to give way to substance

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...

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...

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...

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 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,...

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 circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

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

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...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great...

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great...

In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?

In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?

Good government is no substitute for self-government.

Good government is no substitute for self-government.