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

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.

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...

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...

A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a...

A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a...

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

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

The loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger,...

The loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger,...

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...

The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores...

The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores...

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...

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

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...

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 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.

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of...

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of...

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...

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is...

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is...

To secede from the Union and set up another government would cause war. If you...

To secede from the Union and set up another government would cause war. If you...

Government loses its claim to legitimacy when it fails to fulfill its obligations.

Government loses its claim to legitimacy when it fails to fulfill its obligations.