Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment witho… - James Madison

" "
Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.

James Madison

2 sources found for this quote. Sign up to see where each one appeared

English

Collect this quote

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.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Birth Name: James Madison, Jr.

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

All quotes from James Madison Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like James Madison:

Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson John Adams Edmund Burke George Mason

Additional quotes by James Madison

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

Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.

No axiom is more clearly established in law or in reason than wherever the end is required, the means are authorized; wherever a general power to do a thing is given, every particular power for doing it is included.

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is… - James Madison

About James Madison

Also Known As

Additional quotes by James Madison