Our Forefather's Wisdom

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Representatives would be called for the most part from pursuits of a private nature and continued in appointment for a short period of office.

James Madison on his original view of Congress

I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of freedoms of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

James Madison (attributed to Madison, by his contemporaries)

I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Ludlow, September 6, 1824

If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Cooper, Nov 29, 1802

I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at perfect liberty.

Thomas Jefferson, July 7, 1785

Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself.

Thomas Jefferson, February 21, 1825

The freedom and happiness of man [are] the sole objects of all legitimate government.

Thomas Jefferson, 1810

The greatest good we can do our country is to heal its party divisions and make them one people.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Dickinson, July 23, 1801

When governments fear the people there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny.

Thomas Jefferson