James Madison
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance…”
letter to W. T. Barry, August 4, 1822
Documented source
Source
James Madison, letter to W. T. Barry, August 4, 1822
In full
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
Verified at Founders Online (National Archives) and University of Chicago Press Founders’ Constitution
Context
Written after the presidency, arguing for public education funding
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About this line
Madison wrote it after the presidency, making the case that a people who intend to govern themselves have to arm themselves with knowledge — or someone else will do the governing. The full line is the instruction, not just the maxim. We print the beginning, to get you started.
Why we carry this line
Watch a documentary that includes the James Madison story. It won’t take you long to get to the same place: a free people has to arm itself with knowledge or it won’t stay free for long. Still true — maybe more.
Objects carrying this line
Related Lines
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
Madison · Federalist No. 51, 1788
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“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
Jefferson · letter to Benjamin Rush, 1800
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