James Madison Quotes

James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman, diplomat, expansionist, philosopher and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817.

Birth: March 16, 1751 - Death: June 28, 1836

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

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.

Topic(s): Done , Together , Past

If this spirit shall ever be so far debased, as to tolerate a law not obligatory on the legislature, as well as on the people, the people will be prepared to tolerate any thing but liberty.

Topic(s): People , Ifs , Wells

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Topic(s): Law , Religion , Exercise

Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects?

Topic(s): May , Doe , States

Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history.

Topic(s): May , States , Body

The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries.

Topic(s): States , Purpose , Church

A bad cause seldom fails to betray itself.

Topic(s): Causes , Failing , Betray

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.

Topic(s): Government , Liberty , Atheism

Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks-no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea, if there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them.

Topic(s): People , Ifs , Men

Ecclesiastical establishments tend to great ignorance and corruption

Topic(s): Ignorance , Corruption , Establishment

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

Topic(s): Mean , War , Home

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James Madison Quotes