“What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable, than that of Liberty and Learning, each leaning on the other for their mutual & surest support?”

The lifeblood of Liberty is not learning, in itself, but illumined, informed and animated by Virtue morality.

In the absence of the ennobling presence of Virtue, "learning" can be a monumental liability.

Liberty is a great spectacle that edifies. Liberty is a legal spectrum of action. To learn what liberty is with the freedom to live it is also a great spectacle that edifies. "Learning", in and of itself, though possibly exhilarating, is not necessarily of mutual interest with liberty. The epistemology (have sure knowledge) of liberty is indeed a sure support.

I can cut Madison some slack. ;-) He's talking about Liberty and Learning together. What will be learned with the liberty to learn? What does one seek? Truth? Knowledge? See, the point in Liberty is the choice to follow any path, and let the destination be the impetus for the next leg of the journey -- maybe even turn around. Whether it is Virtue or Truth or Wisdom that may be the true foundation of it all, the answer is a result of the quest -- without asking the question, giving me the 'answer' has no place for it to be put, it hasn't a place to take hold. I suppose Madison's assertion is that taken hand in hand Liberty and Learning will fulfill.

For about two thousand years now, the order of the night has been to "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
The mysterious power of sovereignty projected upon the individual. " For we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world began unto our glory." A day and a night Paul spent in the deep, that we might know how, to watch in the night, children of light so bright.
The quote is spot on ! the power to edify and not destroy.