Top 73 Quotes by James Madison

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.

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations.

I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital punishment.

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.

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

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.

The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war.

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.

The personal right to acquire property, which is a natural right, gives to property, when acquired, a right to protection, as a social right.