Top 73 Quotes by James Madison

We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

In no instance have... the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people.

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.