Quotation by

James Madison

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.

James Madison

Freedom

Understanding this quote AI Analysis

James Madison is saying that people’s freedoms are more often taken away little by little and quietly by those in authority rather than through quick and obvious forceful actions. He warns that slow, unnoticed changes can be more dangerous to liberty than sudden, violent attacks.

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