Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [401-420] of 653 Wisdom quotesWisdom QuotesWisdom Previous 20 quotes Next 20 quotes The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society; and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public trust.~ James Madison The people of the U.S. owe their Independence & their liberty, to the wisdom of descrying in the minute tax of 3 pence on tea, the magnitude of the evil comprised in the precedent. Let them exert the same wisdom, in watching against every evil lurking under plausible disguises, and growing up from small beginnings.~ James Madison There is no maxim in my opinion which is more liable to be misapplied, and which therefore needs elucidation than the current one that the interest of the majority is the political standard of right and wrong…. In fact it is only reestablishing under another name and a more specious form, force as the measure of right….~ James Madison But I go on this great republican principle, that the people will have virtue and intelligence to select men of virtue and wisdom. Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks -- no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them.~ James Madison 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 Whilst we assert a freedom to embrace, to profess, and to observe the Religion which we believe to be of divine origin, we cannot deny an equal freedom to choose minds who have not yet yielded to the evidence which has convinced us.~ James Madison Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it.~ Maimonides People may or may not say what they mean...but they always say something designed to get what they want.~ David Mamet Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunderstorm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.~ Thomas Mann Where both deliberate, the love is slight: Who ever lov'd, that lov'd not at first sight?~ Christopher Marlowe Considering the natural lust for power so inherent in man, I fear the thirst of power will prevail to oppress the people.~ George Mason No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.~ George Mason Rules are written for those who lack the ability to truly reason. But for those who can, rules become nothing more than guidelines, and live their lives governed not by rules but by reason.~ James McGuigan I think the world is run by 'C' students.~ Al McGuire My grandmother wanted me to have an education, so she kept me out of school.~ Margaret Mead Whatever the immediate gains and losses, the dangers to our safety arising from political suppression are always greater than the dangers to the safety resulting from political freedom. Suppression is always foolish. Freedom is always wise.~ Alexander Meiklejohn Freedom is always wise.~ Alexander Meiklejohn In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas Unity in things Necessary, Liberty in things Unnecessary, and Charity in all.~ Rupertus Meldenius It is not white hair that engenders wisdom.~ Menander To act without clear understanding, to form habits without investigation, to follow a path all one's life without knowing where it really leads -- such is the behavior of the multitude.~ Mencius Previous 20 quotes Next 20 quotes Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print