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

James Madison Quote

“No political truth is certainly of greater intrinsic value, or is stamped with the authority of more enlightened patrons of liberty than that on which the objection is founded. The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”

James MadisonJames Madison
~ James Madison

Federalist No. 48, February 1, 1788

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

I like it, "A" definition of many (by way of example; a cabal of justices legislate canons with force of the gun).

Ronw13, Yachats Or

" Or is stamped with the authority of more enlightened patrons of liberty than on which the objection is founded " against tyranny. " No political truth is certainly of greater intrinsic value " ! Brings to mind a poem by Rudyard Kipling
" The Gods of the Copybook Headings "
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings limped up to explain it once more.
As it will be in the future, it was in the birth of man-
There are four things certain since Social Progress began-
That the Dog returns to his Vomit and the Sow returns to her Mire,
and the burnt Fool's bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the fire;
And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world begins
When all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins,
As sure as water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn, The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return !

Mike, Norwalk

Oops, I didn't rate it. Thanks Ronw13

E Archer, NYC

Great Kipling quote, Ron.

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