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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 a...more

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If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be nece...more

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The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the state governments, in times of ...more

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Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be ...more

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Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.

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The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are...more

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A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

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To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.

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it was impossible to confine a Government to the exercise of express powers; there must necessarily be admitted powers by implication, unless the Cons...more

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Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression. In our Governments the real power lies in the majority of the Communi...more

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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 s...more

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Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with a...more

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The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

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The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments ar...more

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