If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If an… - James Madison

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If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. 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

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government separation-of-powers checks-and-balances

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About James Madison

James Madison Jr. (16 March 1751 – 28 June 1836) was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Madison was popularly acclaimed the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

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Birth Name: James Madison, Jr.

Alternative Names: James Madison Jr. • President Madison • President James Madison

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If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.

Originators like James Madison:

Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson John Adams Edmund Burke George Mason

Additional quotes by James Madison

The papers inclosed will shew that the nauseous project of amendments has not yet been either dismissed or despatched. We are so deep in them now, that right or wrong some thing must be done.

Nothing more than a change of mind, my dear.

Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be nec… - James Madison

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