All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree. James Madison on men
The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money. James Madison on money
What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. James Madison on nature
Knowledge will forever govern ignorance and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. James Madison on power
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. James Madison on power
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 on power
Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power. James Madison on power
All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree. James Madison on power
Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done. James Madison on power
The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted. James Madison on power
The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived. James Madison on power
The essence of Government is power and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse. James Madison on power
And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together. James Madison on religion
Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government. James Madison on religion
In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority. James Madison on respect
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 on science
A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person. James Madison on society
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 on trust
The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. James Madison on trust
It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad. James Madison on truth