Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind, and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect. [<i>Letter to William Bradfo… - James Madison

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

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

In time of actual war, great discretionary powers are constantly given to the Executive Magistrate. Constant apprehension of War, has the same tendency to render the head too large for the body. A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.

In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example and France has followed it, of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history and the most consoling presage of its happiness.

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.