To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. – James Madison
War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason. – James Madison
The rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted. – James Madison
What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. – James Madison