James Madison Quotes, Thoughts and images

Oppressors can tyrannize only when they achieve a standing army, an enslaved press, and a disarmed populace.

Oppressors can tyrannize only when they achieve a standing army, an enslaved press, and a disarmed populace.

Crisis is the rallying cry of the tyrant.

Crisis is the rallying cry of the tyrant.

The purpose of the Constitution is to restrict the majority's ability to harm a minority.

The purpose of the Constitution is to restrict the majority's ability to harm a minority.

If our nation is ever taken over, it will be taken over from within.

If our nation is ever taken over, it will be taken over from within.

Disarm the people- that is the best and most effective way to enslave them.

Disarm the people- that is the best and most effective way to enslave them.

If man is not fit to govern himself, how can he be fit to govern someone else?

If man is not fit to govern himself, how can he be fit to govern someone else?

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.

A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution.

A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution.

The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned.

The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned.

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.

Armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few.

Armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few.

Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.

Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.

We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.

We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

Our Constitution represents the work of the finger of Almighty God.

Our Constitution represents the work of the finger of Almighty God.

Democracy was the right of the people to choose their own tyrant.

Democracy was the right of the people to choose their own tyrant.

Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.

Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.

Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.

Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations.

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations.

The very definition of tyranny is when all powers are gathered under one place.

The very definition of tyranny is when all powers are gathered under one place.

Americans need not fear the federal government because they enjoy the advantage of being armed, which you possess over the people of almost every other nation.

Americans need not fear the federal government because they enjoy the advantage of being armed, which you possess over the people of almost every other nation.

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.

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.

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

Resistance to tyranny is service to God.

Resistance to tyranny is service to God.

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

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

No error is more certain than the one proceeding from a hasty and superficial view of the subject.

No error is more certain than the one proceeding from a hasty and superficial view of the subject.

All power in human hands is liable to be abused.

All power in human hands is liable to be abused.

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

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