Quotes from James Madison

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

The smaller the number and the more permanent and conspicuous the station of men in power, the stronger must be the interest which they will individually feel in whatever concerns the government.

The rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted.

The legislative department is everywhere extending the sphere of its activity and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex.

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.

The object of this establishment is seducing; the motive to it is laudable. But is it not safer to adhere to a right principle, and trust to its consequences, than confide in the reasoning however specious in favor of a wrong one? Look thro' the armies and navies of the world, and say whether in the appointment of their ministers of religion, the spiritual interest of the flocks or the temporal interest of the Shepherd be most in view?

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

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.

Our Constitution represents the work of the finger of Almighty God.

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.

On Democracies: "there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual. Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.

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