James Madison Bust: 10 Authentic Quotes from the Father of the Constitution

An iconic James Madison bust —such as the marble by Walker Hancock in the Library of Congress or Giuseppe Ceracchi's classic profile—symbolizes the intellectual architect of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. These sculptures grace museums, government buildings, and collections worldwide. Below are 10 verified quotes from Madison, drawn from primary documents in the official U.S. National Archives and Library of Congress collections.

1. "Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." — Library of Congress (Letter to W.T. Barry, 4 August 1822)
2. "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." — U.S. National Archives - Founders Online (The Federalist No. 51, 6 February 1788)
3. "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." — U.S. National Archives - Founders Online (The Federalist No. 51, 6 February 1788)
4. "The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse." — U.S. National Archives - Founders Online (Speech in the Constitutional Convention, 26 June 1787)
5. "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." — Library of Congress (Letter to W.T. Barry, 4 August 1822)
6. "The accumulation of all powers... in the same hands... may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny." — U.S. National Archives - Founders Online (The Federalist No. 47, attributed to Madison)
7. "Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe, until a trespass on the constitutional provisions for either, shall be felt with the same keenness that resents an invasion of the dearest rights." — U.S. National Archives - Founders Online (Various writings)
8. "The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world." — U.S. National Archives - Founders Online (Outline notes, ca. 1829-1836)
9. "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." — U.S. National Archives - Founders Online (Speech in the Virginia Convention, 1788)
10. "The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated." — U.S. National Archives - Founders Online (Advice to My Country, ca. 1830s)

These quotes illuminate Madison's profound thoughts on balanced government, education, and liberty—making a James Madison bust an enduring symbol of American constitutional wisdom.

For more primary documents, visit Founders Online (U.S. National Archives) or the Library of Congress James Madison Papers.