What James Madison thinks about government
American statesman (1751 to 1836); fourth US President and co-author of The Federalist.
James Madison did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
Filter government · Newest first
Only James Madison on government. See everyone on government
6 dated positions, 1787 to 1788, in their own words. Our reading of what James Madison has said — not written or endorsed by them.
-
Their wordsAs there is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust, so there are other qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form.
Federalist No. 55 is one of the papers (Nos. 49 to 58) whose authorship Hamilton and Madison both claimed; the scholarly consensus, and this Gutenberg text, credit it to Madison.
↗The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org All 27 from this book
- 7 days earlier
-
Their wordsIf men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.
Federalist No. 51 is one of the papers (Nos. 49 to 58) whose authorship Hamilton and Madison both claimed; the scholarly consensus, and this Gutenberg text, credit it to Madison.
↗The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org All 27 from this book
-
Their wordsJustice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.
Federalist No. 51 is one of the papers (Nos. 49 to 58) whose authorship Hamilton and Madison both claimed; the scholarly consensus, and this Gutenberg text, credit it to Madison.
↗The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org All 27 from this book
- 3 weeks earlier
-
Their wordsIf we resort for a criterion to the different principles on which different forms of government are established, we may define a republic to be, or at least may bestow that name on, a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior.
↗The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org All 27 from this book
- 8 weeks earlier
-
Their wordsThe regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.
↗The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org All 27 from this book
-
Their wordsFrom this view of the subject it may be concluded that a pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction.
↗The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org All 27 from this book