James Madison Quote

"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."

by:	James Madison (1751-1836), Father of the Constitution for the USA, 4th US President
Source:	Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788
Rating:
Categories:	Confidence, Government, Happiness, Intelligence, Liberty, Principle, Republic, Virtue, Vote, Wisdom
	Tweet

Instead of electing men,and women, of virtue, we have voted into power political hacks who bribe us for votes with our own money. And look at the mess we're in, shame on us.  -- jim k, Austin,Tx      3
and so it is in this in the 223 year of our constitutional journey in search of virtuous people we have the likes of Sarah Palin, whose daughter gets pregnant out of wedlock and dances with the stars, who eats the moose she cynically accuses her brother inlaw of killing illegally. We have that O'Donnell girl (is she or is she not a witch), we have Glenn Beck and all that Fox crap about paying Presidential wannabes Huckabee, Palin, Gingrich, with exclusive contracts. We the people in the form of the Tea Pary have totally lost their virtue and so look what we get for politicians.  -- Waffler, Smith      2
Clearly it is time to retake our country. When we elect non-citizens as President, when we fight false flag wars, when the Commander in Chief is entertaining himself by having sex with aides, when our rights are ignored, when we have so many police agencies that we are a borderline police state, when we are taxed without genuine representation, when our sovereignty is jeopardized by global financial interests, when government relegates citizens to welfare status and keeps them there, when our borders are open to illegal aliens, when our right to self defense and property are gone, when elected officials cooperate with foreign governments to de-industrialize the US and give away her military secrets to enemy regimes...Jeez, I could write a book on this...Our Republic is doomed saved for the efforts of real patriots, And God Speed to them!  -- J Carlton, Calgary      2
J Carlton, very well said. Waffler, you demonstrate just exactly how vile you are by attacking extended family for doing what you have done (-; and I'm not talking about the moose - if you've been celibate outside marriage my apology, if not, how is it to throw the first stone unjustly? ;-). Is O'Donnell a witch? So what? Now you show your religious bigotry; how progressive of you. (Is Mr. Obamunist Goodwrench the assassin really a Muslim? So what? Are their public administrations according to secular natural law and the Constitution, should be the question) The virtue you here demonstrate depicts the accuracy of Madison's focus, that of a non-virtuous populous bringing about a non-virtuous government. Further Waffler, since you are such an advocate of social slavery (forcing slaves and patrons to pay the debts of the statist theocracy) how virtuous are Mr. Obamunist Goodwrench the assassin's czars and stars (especially when knowing they aren't penalized like the peons when exposed). hmm you should change your handle to Waffler the hypocrite.  -- Mike, Norwalk      2
I am with Carlton! But I do not believe the republic is yet doomed, only that its constitution (not the paper, but the people that 'constitute' the nation) is in need of a renaissance. Even though we have been dummied down considerably (I mean where are the Madison's, Washington's, Adam's and Jefferson's today?), even dumb people can have integrity and stand up for their rights. The challenge is waking up the citizenry to what those rights truly are and what the principles of America are all about.  -- E Archer, NYC      2
Mike it is not I who am standing for election. If I were I assume my virtue could be an issue. Plenty may find fault with it. We are free however to discuss the virtue of folk who are and that is what Madison said. I don't know if she ate the moose, but her father butchered it and her sister was present at its shooting. Teen pregnancy is nothing new, I agree, but is raising children that save themselves until marriage, or at least ones who are intelligent enough to be CAREFUL a sign of a virtuous family or of a virtuous parentage. I think it is.  -- Waffler, Smith      1
Lack of virtue is J Carlton talking about non-citizen presidents. I think he means non American born. Well that is a lie and to lie is not virtuous J. Wise up or virtue up!  -- Waffler, Smith      1
Great idea, could it be so simple? Let's level the playing field and allow those that can and should be leading as those that we can freely choose. No, we are given a list of knaves, beggars and thieves and are told that democracy is being carried forward. I spoil my ballot at every opportunity. There in the polls I am listed as a voter; but I will not vote.  -- QAMan, CANADA
Waffler, Obama is a Kenyan national and has yet to prove on any meaningful level that he is anything else. Ergo he is not eligible to be POTUS. History will eventually bear this out and sorry about knocking your deity...but it has to be done at every available opportunity. The man is an imposter.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      3
It is you to prove and take on the State of Hawaii and Obama's many ancestors. His white cousins etc in Kansas or whereever they are could certainly inform you. The point is you and your McCarthite friends will never give it up. You create your own truth and anyone who disagrees with you is suspect including the State of Hawaii. Obama is also the beneficiar of the VIRTUE game by default. The Republican guy running against him for Seante named Ryan had to drop out due to sex scandal (wife cheating) and lies. The Repubs brought in Alan Keyes. Obama won hands down, I trust the American people and virture will triumph in the end but it can be tough wading through the mess sometimes. Obama was born of an American mother while living in Hawaii, if you got evidence to the contray you really should put up or shut up J.  -- Waffler, Smith      3
Oh COME ON! WAFFLER...you're living in a dream world and ignoring all the facts! A man with nothing to hide doesn't spend Millions of dollars to block all inquiries into his past. And he produced a Certificate of "live birth" not a birth certificate, A Japanese couple on holidays in Hawaii can get one to prove the child is theirs on return to Japan or anywhere else. It is NOT proof of American citizenship. You socialists will believe anything your told to believe...whereas I rely on research. Give it a try, something might penetrate. LOL Too funny you are my gullible friend. Obama is a muslim and an imposter, period!  -- J Carlton, Calgary      3
"We took a trip to Kenya, Barack's homeland"...~ Michelle Obama : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLzJz2A2N1c  -- J Carlton, Calgary      2
Obama's Kenyan roots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UreJZMY_2IY  -- J Carlton, Calgary      1
Barack Obama Birth Certificate Forgery Confirmed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtvJ_nM47GM  -- J Carlton, Calgary      1
Alan Keyes discusses Barack Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9zi4tYbMYI  -- J Carlton, Calgary      1
And on and on....  -- J Carlton, Calgary
"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."  THAT'S the point Madison makes.  The character of the electors determine the direction of the nation.  And that also explains the concerted effort to dumb down and misinform the populace from cradle to grave.  -- E Archer, NYC      1
This is an uncoordinated quote and misguided at best. The very act of the voting procedure divides and dissects our problem solving ambitions by pitting the candidates against each other and not appreciating any positive qualities of the competitors. We don't need voting, we need reasonable solutions that people can clearly see formulating as the presenter gets a chance to provide a valid solution. Socialism is the challenge to create.  -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
Well, I have strong doubts about Obama's location of birth. His grandmother for example said something very different at the 'document' we were shown! But you are sure?  -- Moritz, San Diego

Tweet  Rate this quote! How many stars? 0 1 2 3 4 5	What do YOU think?
Your name:	Your town:     CLICK JUST ONCE!

Get a Quote-A-Day! Free!
Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box.
Email: