Quotes by James Madison

About James Madison:

James Madison, Jr. is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for being instrumental in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and as the key champion and author of the Bill of Rights. He served as a politician much of his adult life.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as by the abuses of power.

James Madison

It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessar...

James Madison

It has been frequently remarked, that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country to decide, by their conduct and example, the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not, of establishing good government fr...

James Madison

The internal effects of a mutable policy are still more calamitous. It poisons the blessing of liberty itself. It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot ...

James Madison

When occasions present themselves in which the interests of the people are at variance with their inclinations, it is the duty of the persons whom they have appointed to be the guardians of those interests to withstand the temporary delusion in order...

James Madison

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire...

James Madison

It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting anything by it.

James Madison

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

James Madison

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

James Madison

To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.

James Madison

The means of defence against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext ...

James Madison

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind, and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect. [ ]

James Madison

It may not be easy, in every possible case, to trace the line of separation between the rights of religion and the Civil authority with such distinctness as to avoid collisions and doubts on unessential points. The tendency to usurpation on one side ...

James Madison

Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression. In our Governments, the real power lies in the majority of the Community, and the invasion of private rights is chiefly to be apprehended, not from the acts of Governmen...

James Madison

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise.... During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride ...

James Madison

During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry ...

James Madison

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country.

James Madison

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages.

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

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy.

James Madison

Author Bio

  • NameJames Madison
  • DescriptionAmerican politician, 4th president of the United States (in office from 1809 to 1817)
  • AliasesJames Madison, Jr.
  • BornMarch 5, 1750
  • DiedJune 28, 1836
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionPolitician; Writer; Diplomat; Philosopher