A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both.

James Madison

More information about this quote

Topic

Informed citizenry Threats to democracy Political theory

Author

James Madison

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1822 1820s 19th century

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Madison, James. Letter to W.T. Barry. 4 Aug. 1822.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "To William T. Barry, August 4, 1822." James Madison: Writings, edited by Jack Rakove. Library of America, 1999.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by James Madison

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.

James Madison

Federalist 47

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Read Federalist No. 47 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Tyranny Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison
Source
Federalist 47 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1788 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 47: The Particular Structure of the New Government and the Distribution of Power Among Its Different Parts." New York Packet, 1 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 47: Complete separation of powers not required.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Another quote from the 1820s

Facts are the mere dross of history. It is from the abstract truth which interpenetrates them, and lies latent among them, like gold in the ore, that the mass derives its whole value: and the precious particles are generally combined with the baser in such a manner that the separation is a task of the utmost difficulty.

Thomas Babington Macaulay

More information about this quote
Topic
Facts

Author

Thomas Babington Macaulay
Source
History Edinburgh Review
Medium
Essay
Language
English
Time
1828 1820s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Macaulay, Thomas Babington. "History." Edinburgh Review, May 1828.

Another quote about Political theory

If all men were just, there still would be some, though not so much, need of government.

Abraham Lincoln

Read the full text of this quote at umich.edu
More information about this quote
Topic
Government Human nature Political theory Politics

Author

Abraham Lincoln
Source
Journals of Abraham Lincoln
Medium
Personal journal
Language
English
Time
1854 1850s 19th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Fragment: On Government." 1 July 1854?

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Fragment on Government, 1854?" Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.