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.
More from James Madison
The legislative department is everywhere extending the sphere of its activity and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex.
Permalink to quote #28 I always talk better lying down.
Permalink to quote #30 Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to wh…
Permalink to quote #27