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 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

All Quotes by James Madison

“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

“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”

— James Madison

Freedom

“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

“All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.”

— James Madison

Men

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

— James Madison

Power

“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

“If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they ought to be gotten from those philosophic and patriotic citizens who cultivate their reason.”

— James Madison

Truth

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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 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

“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

Government

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

— James Madison

Power

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

— James Madison

Money

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

— James Madison

Communication

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

— James Madison

Home

“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

Food