Quotes from James Madison
It may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more constant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves.
- James Madison
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
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.
- James Madison
To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.
- James Madison
No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected without being truly respectable; nor be truly respectable, without possessing a certain portion of order and stability.
- James Madison
Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.
- James Madison
The ultimate authority resides in the people, and that if the federal government got too powerful and overstepped its authority, then the people would develop plans of resistance and resort to arms.
- James Madison
Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one.
- James Madison
In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.
- James Madison
I flatter myself [we] have in this country extinguished forever the ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind.
- James Madison
I hope this will find you...enjoying the commencement of a new year with every prospect that can make it a happy one.
- James Madison
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