James Madison

The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.

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.]

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country.

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages.

And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.

What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning, each leaning on the other for their mutual and surest support?

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy.

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.

A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as would provide for the permanent liberty and happiness of the United States.

To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.

The capacity of the female mind for studies of the highest order cannot be doubted, having been sufficiently illustrated by its works of genius, of erudition, and of science.

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?

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

A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.

The happy Union of these States is a wonder their Constitution a miracle their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world.

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.