James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr.was a political theorist, American statesman, and the fourth President of the United States. He is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionUS President
Date of Birth16 March 1751
CityPort Conway, VA
CountryUnited States of America
country sacrifice government
[T]he delegation of the government, in [a republic], to a small number of citizens elected by the rest . . . [is] to refine and enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations.
government safety people
[A]ll power is originally vested in, and consequently derived from, the people. That government is instituted and ought to be exercised for the benefit of the people; which consists in the enjoyment of life and liberty and the right of acquiring property, and generally of pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. That the people have an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform or change their government whenever it be found adverse or inadequate to the purpose of its institution.
party insecure opportunity
Where a majority are united by a common sentiment, and have an opportunity, the rights of the minor party become insecure.
liberty unjust socialism
Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.
views democracy citizens
The effect of a representative democracy is to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of the nation....
law class 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.
blessing liberty poison
The internal effects of a mutable policy poisons the blessings of liberty itself.
reading class amusement
Any reading not of a vicious species must be a good substitute for the amusements too apt to fill up the leisure of the labouring classes.
reality liberty done
Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.
independent class rights
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.
communication men liberty
A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.
past government doubt
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.
liberty tyranny-founding-fathers firsts
We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.
patriotic government numbers
A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.