Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.

— James Madison

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise.... During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution.

— James Madison

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind, and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded pro

— James Madison

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind, and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect.]

— James Madison

Since the general civilization of mankind I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

— James Madison

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

— James Madison

The capacity of the female mind for studies of the highest order cannot be doubted, having been sufficiently illustrated by its works of genius, of erudition, and of science.

— James Madison

The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

— James Madison

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy.

— James Madison

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

— James Madison