James Madison Quotes

The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a great Measure, than they have it now. They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty.

Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.

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

No polity can be devised which shall perpetuate freedom among a people that are dead to honor and integrity. Liberty and virtue are twin sisters, and the best fabric in the world . . . .

The Founders warned that a free society depends on a virtuous and moral people. The current crisis reflects that their concerns were justified.

Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.

Virtue is necessary to a republic.

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.

The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people.

Without virtue, happiness cannot be.

What the statesman is most anxious to produce is a certain moral character in his fellow citizens, namely a disposition to virtue and the performance of virtuous actions.

Ethics in government has always been important to me.

We may look up to armies for our defense, but virtue is our best security. It is not possible that any State should long remain free, where virtue is not supremely honored.

Character is the only secure foundation of the state.

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.

[T]here is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists . . . an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.

Liberty is equally desirable to the good and to the bad, to the brave and to the dastardly.

What is the real relation between happiness and goodness? It is only within a few generations that men have found courage to say that there is none.

If virtue & knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great security.

Like all virtuous people he imagines he must speak the truth.

I'd wish the government took honest people into consideration, it shows enough consideration for scoundrels.

Society can only be happy and free in proportion as it is virtuous.

A person may be qualified to do greater good to mankind and become more beneficial to the world, by morality without faith than by faith without morality.

[M]en will be free no longer then while they remain virtuous.