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.

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

— James Madison

Knowledge

All Quotes by 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

Hope

“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

“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

Wisdom

“Whenever a youth is ascertained to possess talents meriting an education which his parents cannot afford, he should be carried forward at the public expense.”

— James Madison

Education

“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.”

— James Madison

Government

“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

“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

Science

“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

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

— 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

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

— James Madison

Great

“Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.”

— James Madison

Power

“Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.”

— James Madison

Power

“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

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

— James Madison

Power

“War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason.”

— James Madison

War

“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

Best

“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

“Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.”

— James Madison

Power

“A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.”

— James Madison

Government