I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

James Madison

More information about this quote

Topic

Threats to freedom Freedom Political theory

Speaker

James Madison

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1788 1780s 18th century

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James. "General Defense of the Constitution." Virginia Ratifying Convention. 5 June 1788, Richmond, VA, USA.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "Speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention in Defense of the Constitution, June 6, 1788." James Madison: Writings. Library of America, 1999.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by James Madison

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.

James Madison

Federalist 10

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Read Federalist No. 10 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Political faction Political conflict Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison
Source
Federalist 10 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1787 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Another quote from the 1780s

The thirst after happiness is never extinguished in the heart of man.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Confessions (Rousseau)

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Read Confessions at Project Gutenberg
More information about this quote
Topic
Seeking happiness

Author

Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Source
Confessions (Rousseau)
Genre
Autobiography and memoir
Language
French
Time
1789 1780s 18th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Les Confessions [The Confessions]. Aux Deux-Ponts: Chez Sanson Et Compagnie, 1789, bk. 9.

Current Citation

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Confessions, translated by Angela Scholar. Oxford University Press, 2008, pt. 2, bk. 9.

Another quote about Political theory

There are no necessary evils in the government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favor alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing.

Andrew Jackson

More information about this quote
Topic
Government Political theory
Speaker
Andrew Jackson
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1832 1830s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Jackson, Andrew. Veto message on bank bill. Congress meeting. 10 July 1832, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Another quote from the following genre Political speech

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.

On Conciliation with America

More information about this quote
Topic
Political compromise Political theory
Speaker
Edmund Burke
Source
On Conciliation with America
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1775 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Burke, Edmund. "Speech on Conciliation with America." House of Commons. 22 Mar. 1775, Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London, England, UK.

Current Citation

Burke, Edmund. "Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies." The Portable Edmund Burke, edited by Isaac Kramnick. Penguin, 2009.