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James Madison Quotes

45 Notable Quotes By James Madison, Father Of The American Constitution

Famous As: 4th President of The United States

Born On: 1751

Died On: 1836

Born In: Port Conway, Virginia, United States

Founder / Co Founder: Democratic Party, Democratic-Republican Party, 30th Indiana Infantry Regiment, The United States Constitutional Convention

Died At Age: 85

James Madison, known as the ‘Father of the American Constitution’ was also the ‘Founding Father’, and the fourth President of America. Madison was a great politician who always strived for a strong and transparent democracy. He advocated the need for a constitution and played a pivotal role in its development. Madison was the ‘Secretary of State’ to Thomas Jefferson, and contributed to major reforms that America underwent. Madison was an architect of ideas and stood responsible for reforms like the ‘Virginia Plan’, ‘Federalist Papers’ and ‘The Bill of Rights’. He also co-founded the ‘Republican Democratic Party’ and the ‘University of Virginia’ with Jefferson. Madison’s thoughts on political issues was valued even after his retirement. His quotations and thoughts are very valuable in speheres of political thought and democracy. His ideas, polices, works and thoughts were able to bring about changes in the U.S. Here is a compilation of James Madison quotes on religion, government, democracy, constitution, liberty etc.

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Quotes by Famous People

Leaders

The means of defence agst. foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home.

The means of defence agst. foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home.
Home
James Madison

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison

I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
Believe Power I
James Madison

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

Philosophy is common sense with big words.
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.

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

The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.

The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.
Power
James Madison

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
James Madison

Equal laws protecting equal rights…the best guarantee of loyalty and love of country.
Love
James Madison

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.

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

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.
Money I
James Madison

Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.

Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.
James Madison

[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.

[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

History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and it's issuance.

History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and it's issuance.
Money History
James Madison

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.
James Madison

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind, and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect.

[Letter to William Bradford Jr. April 1 1774]

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind, and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect. [Letter to William Bradford Jr. April 1 1774]
James Madison

You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.
You
James Madison

Democracy is the most vile form of government.

Democracy is the most vile form of government.
James Madison

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

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.
Will Power
James Madison

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.

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.
Power
James Madison

Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as by the abuses of power.

Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as by the abuses of power.
Power
James Madison

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree
Power
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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.
War Will Peace
James Madison

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world a long journey at a mild season through a pleasant country in easy stages.

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world a long journey at a mild season through a pleasant country in easy stages.
Me
James Madison

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

The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home
Home
James Madison

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance.

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance.
Will
James Madison

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire...

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire...
James Madison

Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.

Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.
War
James Madison