James Madison Quotes

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James Madison

Profession : President

Birth : March 16, 1751

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

James Madison

And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.

James Madison

Every nation whose affairs betray a want of wisdom and stability may calculate on every loss which can be sustained from the more systematic policy of its wiser neighbors.

James Madison

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.

James Madison

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.

James Madison

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

James Madison

The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world.

James Madison

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

James Madison

The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries.

James Madison

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 be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.

James Madison

The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.

James Madison

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

James Madison

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.

James Madison

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

James Madison

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

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

The capacity of the female mind for studies of the highest order cannot be doubted, having been sufficiently illustrated by its works of genius, of erudition, and of science.

James Madison

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

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

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

James Madison