James Madison Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old James Madison quotes, James Madison sayings, and James Madison proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

The safety and happiness of society are the objects at which all political institutions aim, and to which all such institutions must be sacrificed. James Madison
Philosophy is common sense with big words. James Madison
A standing army is one of the greatest mischief that can possibly happen James Madison
The power of taxing people and their property is essential to the very existence of government. James Madison
The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home. 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
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. James Madison
Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations. James Madison
The power of taxing people and their property is essential to the very existence of government. James Madison
In framing a system, which we wish to last for ages, we should not lose sight of the changes which ages will produce. James Madison
Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred. James Madison
Nothing could be more irrational than to give the people power, and to withhold from them information without which power is abused. James Madison
The civil rights of none, shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed. James Madison
Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression. James Madison
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. James Madison
Resistance to tyranny is service to God. James Madison
Testimony of all ages forces us to admit that war is among the most dangerous enemies to liberty, and that the executive is the branch most favored by it of all the branches of Power. James Madison
In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority James Madison
Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence. James Madison
Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence. James Madison
Toleration is not the opposite of intolerance, but is the counterfeit of it. Both are despotisms. The one assumes to itself the right of withholding liberty of conscience, the other of granting it James Madison
The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home. James Madison
That religion, or the duty which we owe to our CREATOR, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practise Christian forbearance, love, and charity; towards each other. James Madison
I have ever regarded the freedom of religious opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect. James Madison
Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in any Manner contrary to their conscience. James Madison
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. James Madison
The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man: and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. James Madison
War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason. James Madison
War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose tolls and pleasures are to support its burdens, instead of the government which is to reap its fruit. James Madison
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. James Madison