The proposed Constitution is, in strictness, neither a national nor a federal constitution; but a composition of both. – James Madison
Every nation whose affairs betray a want of wisdom and stability may calculate on every loss which can be sustained from the more systematic policy of its wiser neighbors. – James Madison
Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. – James Madison
The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war. – James Madison
War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason. – James Madison
If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they ought to be gotten from those philosophic and patriotic citizens who cultivate their reason. – 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. – 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. – James Madison
The capacity of the female mind for studies of the highest order cannot be doubted, having been sufficiently illustrated by its works of genius, of erudition, and of science. – James Madison
Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power. – James Madison
Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done. – James Madison
The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted. – 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. – James Madison
The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money. – James Madison
All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree. – James Madison
It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood. – James Madison
What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning, each leaning on the other for their mutual and surest support? – James Madison
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty. – James Madison
The happy Union of these States is a wonder their Constitution a miracle their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world. – James Madison
The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home. – James Madison
