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James Madison1751–1836

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

James Madison on government

Federalist No. 51 (1788)

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Often credited to Alexander Hamilton

More from James Madison

If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.
- America
- War & Peace
A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.
Letter to W.T. Barry (4 August 1822), in The Writings of James Madison (1910) edited by Gaillard Hunt, Vol. 9, p. 103
- Government
- Knowledge
The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.
- Politics

All 31 quotes from James Madison

More about government

The best government is that which governs least.
John L. O'Sullivan1813–1895Often credited to Thomas Paine
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
?UnattributedOften credited to Benjamin Franklin
- Democracy
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.
?UnattributedOften credited to Winston Churchill
- Democracy

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