James Madison Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"The essence of Government is power;
and power, lodged as it must be in human hands,
will ever be liable to abuse."

by:	James Madison (1751-1836), Father of the Constitution for the USA, 4th US President
Source:	Speech, Virginia State Convention, 2 December 1829
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Categories:	Constitution, Despotism, Government, Power, President, Proverbs, Speech, Tyranny
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Reader comments about this quote:

-- Mike, Norwalk
-- warren, olathe
Hence, the US Constitution... -- E Archer, NYC
A vital piece of wisdom, especially when one considers that one person's utopia is nearly always another's nightmare. -- Eric Engstrom, Wichita, KS
Power in human hands is not just liable to abuse, it is as close to a certainty as anything. That is especially true when we allow some inner, elite circle of a few men do the governing year after year. -- Ken, Allyn, WA