All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree. – James Madison
The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived. – James Madison
To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. – James Madison
Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government. – James Madison