James Madison

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

"No nation can long endure half free and half slave."

"The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty is finally staked on the fate of the American experiment."

"A man who is a friend to himself, is a friend to mankind."

"The period of life that admits of the greatest improvement, is too often neglected."

"The end of all political associations is the preservation of the natural rights of man."

"Human rights can only come from human duties."

"The best security for the fidelity of public officers is to make the interests of the ruled and the rulers the same."

"The ultimate authority resides in the people."

"Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm."

"The free system of government is sustained by cultivating the virtue of the people."

"Conscience is the most sacred of all property."

"The means of defence against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home."

"The advancement of the arts and sciences is the necessary consequence of the progress of civilization."

"Public measures are rarely investigated with that severity which integrity ought to inspire."

"The soul cannot think without the aid of images."

"The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out."

"Time is on our side in the great contest."

"The Union of these States is the greatest political blessing."

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

"The protection of these rights is the object of government."

"A free people cannot survive without knowledge of their history."

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

"The circulation of power is the great security of freedom."

"Public opinion is the real sovereign in a free government."

"The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves."

"Stability in government is essential to national prosperity."

"The foundation of public safety is public confidence."

"No government ought to be without censors, and where the press is free no one ever will."

"The ability to bear burdens is the mark of a virtuous character."