James Madison Quotes
Sep 14th, 2006 by Tuxi
During a discussion in IRC, I came across Brainy Quote and found several James Madison quotes. Ones that really spoke to me are listed below.
Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.
It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.
Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty.
The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war.
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.
We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.
