Post by Sowelu on Jan 27, 2006 9:32:21 GMT -5
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."
"It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad."
"The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home."
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
"Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power."
"The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty."
"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries."
"We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties."
"Conscience is the most sacred of all property."
"Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm."
"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 Madison
b.1751-d.1836
4th President of USA: 1809-1817
