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James Madison Quotes

Biography

James Madison (1751-1836), the fourth President of the United States, served from 1809 to 1817. He earned the title "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. more James Madison (1751-1836), the fourth President of the United States, served from 1809 to 1817. He earned the title "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Born on March 16, 1751, in Port Conway, Virginia, Madison co-authored the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, alongside Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. During his presidency, he led the nation through the War of 1812 against Great Britain. Madison also played a critical role in establishing the Democratic-Republican Party with Thomas Jefferson. He died on June 28, 1836, at his Montpelier estate in Virginia. less

Popular Quotes

"Equal laws protecting equal rights the best guarantee of loyalty and love of country"
Tags: Justice, Equality, Loyalty, Patriotism, Civil rights
"The rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted"
Tags: Government, Civil rights, Protection, Rights, Law
"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition"
Tags: Motivation, Personal growth, Human nature, Ambition, Power dynamics
"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined"
Tags: Political philosophy, Constitution, Founding principles, Federal government, Federalism
"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy"
Tags: Freedom, Patriotism, War, Oppression, Military
"In Republics the great danger is that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority"
Tags: Ethics, Equality, Democracy, Governance, Civil rights
"It is the duty of every man to render to the country the services he is competent to perform"
Tags: Responsibility, Patriotism, Service, Duty, Civic duty
"The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home"
Tags: Tyranny, Authoritarianism, Defense, Historical perspective, Civil liberties
"The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted"
Tags: Leadership, Human nature, Truth, Ethics, Trust
"Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as by the abuses of power."
Tags: Freedom, Responsibility, Power, Liberty, Government
"Philosophy is common sense with big words."
Tags: Philosophy, Wisdom, Perspective, Knowledge, Understanding
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
Tags: Wisdom, Empowerment, Knowledge, Education, Responsibility
"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 in blood for centuries."
Tags: Political philosophy, Historical context, Founding principles, Religious freedom, Separation of church and state
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
Tags: Philosophy, Human nature, Society, Morality, Politics
"The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty."
Tags: Knowledge, Freedom, Truth, Education, Progress
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