A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people. James Madison on alone
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 on alone
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 on best
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 on best
Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty. James Madison on best
A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them. James Madison on communication
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 on education
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 on food
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 freedom
No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare. James Madison on freedom
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 government
If men were angels, no government would be necessary. James Madison on government
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 on government
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 government
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. James Madison on government
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 on government
I have no doubt but that the misery of the lower classes will be found to abate whenever the Government assumes a freer aspect and the laws favor a subdivision of Property. James Madison on government
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 government
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 government
In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must first enable the government to control the governed and in the next place oblige it to control itself. James Madison on government