Quotes from James Madison

The right of freely examining public characters and measures, and of free communication among the people thereon . . . has ever been justly deemed the only effectual guardian of every other right.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence, and ecclesiastical establishments tend to great ignorance and corruption; all of which facilitate the execution of mischievous projects.

Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence.

Who are to be the objects of popular choice? Every citizen whose merit may recommend him to the esteem and confidence of his country.

It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country its truest and most durable celebrity.

Among the features peculiar to the political system of the United States, is the perfect equality of rights which it secures to every religious sect.

It would have marked a want of foresight in the convention, which our own experience would have rendered inexcusable.

The most productive system of finance will always be the least burdensome.

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.

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.

Democracies have been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their death.

The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable.

Happily for America, happily, we trust, for the whole human race, they pursued a new and more noble course. They accomplished a revolution which has no parallel in the annals of human society.

No free country has ever been without Parties, which are a natural offspring of freedom.

I have ever regarded the freedom of religious opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect.

Popular liberty might then have escaped the indelible reproach of decreeing to the same citizens, the hemlock on one day, and statues on the next.

Since the general civilization of mankind, 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 usurpation

We've staked our future on our ability to follow the Ten Commandments with all our heart.

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.