Top 73 Quotes by James Madison

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.

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

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which had encouraged them most had advanced most rapidly in population, agriculture and the arts.

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

The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the state governments, in times of peace and security.

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

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.

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.