James MadisonJames Madison, (1751-1836), Father of the Constitution for the USA, 4th US President

James Madison Quote

“Government is instituted to protect property of every sort. ... This being the end of government, that alone is a just government, which impartially secures to every man, whatever is his own.”

James MadisonJames Madison
~ James Madison

Essay entitled Property, published March 27, 1792 in the NATIONAL GAZETTE, and
reprinted in THE PAPERS OF JAMES MADISON, Vol. 14, p. 266 (University of Virginia Press 1982).

Ratings and Comments


J Carlton, Calgary

This quote is not only excellent...buy completely unrecognizable when compared to the quasi police state we now have in the "Land of the Free". In fact we could re write it to" A Legal Government now secures from every man whatever it wants" 5 Stars for the Founders.

jim k, Austin, Tx

Good on you, J Carlton.

Cal, lewisville, TX

Federal reserve notes.. We earn them, but they are not ours.

Mike, Norwalk

Carlton good comment, Cal, good example. When the focus is on property only, life and liberty are usually lost somewhere in the fray. If government were to mediate the individual sovereign's life and liberty as personal property, the here quote's scope of execution would be even stronger. The quote in context gets 5 + stars. As a stand alone, the quote gets 4.

E Archer, NYC

And when the government no longer protects the property rights of the People, it is time to get rid of the government. When the wolf is elected to high office, the sheep don't have a chance.

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.