evidence: James Madison Jr. was an American statesman, diplomat, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. This James Madison quotes on democracy, liberty, the government will motivate you. [...] A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions." ~ James Madison, James Madison quotes on government - "The problem to be solved is, not what form of government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect." ~ James Madison - "No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare." ~ James Madison - "A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty." ~ James Madison - "Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ." ~ James Madison - "The people can never willfully betray their own interests: But they may possibly be betrayed by the representatives of the people; and the danger will be evidently greater where the whole legislative trust is lodged in the hands of one body of men, than where the concurrence of separate and dissimilar bodies is required in every public act." ~ James Madison - "The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned." ~ James Madison - "Our country, if it