James Monroe Quotes What is government itself,

• War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason.
• War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures are to support its burdens, instead of the government which is to reap its fruits.
• We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.
• What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? 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.
• What is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?

                                                                                                                                 James Madison