Quotes by James Madison

A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as would provide for the permanent liberty and happiness of the United States. (James Madison)

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people. (James Madison)

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree. (James Madison)

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic. (James Madison)

Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; have in general been as short in their lives as they are violent in their deaths. (James Madison)

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government. (James Madison)

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. (James Madison)

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. (James Madison)

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. (James Madison)

Learned institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty. (James Madison)