J

James Madison

50 quotes

James Madison (1751–1836) was an American statesman who served as the fourth President of the United States. Known as the "Father of the Constitution," Madison played a central role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. His political writings, particularly the Federalist Papers, remain foundational texts of democratic governance.

“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

Best

All Quotes by James Madison

“Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.”

— James Madison

Government

“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must first enable the government to control the governed and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”

— James Madison

Government

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

— James Madison

Government

“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

Men

“The rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted.”

— James Madison

Government

“Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.”

— James Madison

War

“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.”

— James Madison

Government

“The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.”

— James Madison

Home

“I have no doubt but that the misery of the lower classes will be found to abate whenever the Government assumes a freer aspect and the laws favor a subdivision of Property.”

— James Madison

Government

“In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.”

— James Madison

Great

“Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”

— James Madison

Trust

“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

Best

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

— James Madison

Government

“War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures are to support its burdens, instead of the government which is to reap its fruits.”

— James Madison

Government

“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

Best

“What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning, each leaning on the other for their mutual and surest support?”

— James Madison

Learning

“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

Happiness

“A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.”

— James Madison

Communication

“Perhaps it is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad.”

— James Madison

Home

“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

Alone