Classic Quotes by James Madison

1751-1836

U.S. President

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country.

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.

Democracy is the most vile form of government… democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention: have ever been found incompatible
with personal security or the rights of property: and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted,
bastardized form of illegitimate government.

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and
sudden usurpations.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad.

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so
incoherent that they cannot be understood.

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.

Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against
crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty.

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.

Such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property;
and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.
 

Classic Quotes by Andrew Jackson

1767-1845

U.S. President

Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that
he is in error.

As long as our government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of persons
and of property, liberty of conscience and of the press, it will be worth defending.

Elevate those guns a little lower.

Every good citizen makes his country’s honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense
and its conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.

Heaven will be no heaven to me if I do not meet my wife there.

It is a damn poor mind indeed which can’t think of at least two ways to spell any word.

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes.

It was settled by the Constitution, the laws, and the whole practice of the government that the entire executive power is vested in the President of the
United States

Never take counsel of your fears.

No one need think that the world can be ruled without blood. The civil sword shall and must be red and bloody.

One man with courage makes a majority.

Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.

Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.
 

Classic Quotes by Joseph Priestley

1733-1804

English theologian and scientist

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning…

Marriage is like paying an endless visit in your worst clothes.

It is no use speaking in soft, gentle tones if everyone else is shouting.

The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate.

To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven.
  

Classic Quotes by Jack Kerouac

1922-1969

American Writer

All our best men are laughed at in this nightmare land.

Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.

If moderation is a fault, then indifference is a crime.

It is not my fault that certain so-called bohemian elements have found in my writings something to hang their peculiar beatnik theories on.

“Now you understand the Oriental passion for tea,” said Japhy. “Remember that book I told you about the first sip is joy, the second is gladness, the third
is serenity, the fourth is madness, the fifth is ecstasy.”

The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to talk, mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones
who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding.

Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?