thomas-jefferson Quotes About constitution

“I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with; because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them, and find practical means of correcting their ill effects. But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”

Change Progress Society Constitution Laws Imperfections Advances

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the general government. I have therefore undertaken on no occasion to prescribe the religious exercises suited to it; but have left them as the Constitution found them, under the direction and discipline of State or Church authorities acknowledged by the several religious societies.”

Matter States Government Found Left Church Religious Discipline Exercise Authority Constitution Independent Occasions Separation Of Church And State

Book:Jefferson on Freedom: Wisdom, Advice, and Hints on Freedom, Democracy, and the American Way

Source: Jefferson on Freedom: Wisdom, Advice, and Hints on Freedom, Democracy, and the American Way

“Our Constitution... has not left the religion of its citizens under the power of its public functionaries, were it possible that any of these should consider a conquest over the conscience of men either attainable or applicable to any desirable purpose.”

Men Should Purpose Left Atheism Citizens Conscience Constitution Positive Atheism Desirable Conquest

Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private

“[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void and of no force.”

States Law Force United United States Constitution Assuming Congress Void

Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private

“Had not a conviction of the danger to which an unlimited occupation of the executive chair would expose the republican Constitution of our Government, made it conscientiously a duty to retire when I did, the fear of becoming a dotard and of being insensible of it, would of itself have resisted all solicitations to remain.”

Made Government Danger Duty Becoming Republican Constitution Conviction Made It Chairs Executives Occupation Retiring Unlimited Insensible Solicitation

Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private : published by the order of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, from the original manuscripts, deposited in the Department of State

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private : published by the order of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, from the original manuscripts, deposited in the Department of State

“The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the Union of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible, according to the principles of the Federal constitution, to the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immunities, of citizens of the United States; and, in the mean time, they shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and the religion which they profess.”

Mean States United Liberty Principles United States Rights Citizens Advantage Constitution Property Unions Enjoyment Territory Protected Immunity

Book:Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826: chronology-documents-bibliographical aids

Source: Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826: chronology-documents-bibliographical aids

“In the constitution of Spain as proposed by the late Cortes, there was a principle entirely new to me:... that no person born after that day should ever acquire the rights of citizenship until he could read and write. It is impossible sufficiently to estimate the wisdom of this provision. Of all those which have been thought of for securing fidelity in the administration of the government, constant reliance to the principles of the constitution, and progressive amendments with the progressive advances of the human mind or changes in human affairs, it is the most effectual.”

“Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment.”

Men Humans Looks Age He Man Constitution Sacred Touched Reverence Amendments Covenant Ark Amending The Constitution Sanctimonious

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“The Central Bank is an institution of the most deadly hostility existing against the principles and form of our Constitution.”

Form Principles Constitution Institutions Hostility Central Banks Central Banking

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“[I]n Great-Britain it is said that their constitution relies on the house of commons for honesty, and the lords for wisdom; whichwould be a rational reliance if honesty were to be bought with money, and if wisdom were hereditary.”

Ifs Said Government House Lord Honesty Constitution Rational Rely Britain Reliance Great Britain Hereditary House Of Commons

Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson

“Every constitution..., and every law, naturally expires at the end of 19 years [a generation]. If it be enforced longer, it is anact of force, and not of right.”

Ifs Years Ends Law Force Generations Constitution

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have ... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases. The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.”

“This is perhaps the most important statement on religion ever made. It clarified the intent of the founders of the constitution irrespective of the attempts of modern day religious revisionists.”

Made Important Religious Modern Constitution Statements Made It Founders Modern Day Anti Religious

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“It is to them I look, to the rising generation, and not to the one now in power, for these great reformations i.e., emancipation of slaves and settlement of the Virginia constitution on a firmer and more permanent basis.”

Looks Generations Youth Bases Constitution Slave Permanent Rising Reformation Virginia Emancipation Settlement Inexperience

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“To take a single step beyond the boundaries specially drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible to definition.”

Source: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence, cont

“Bind them down by the chains of the Constitution where they can do no mischief.”

Can Do Constitution Chains Mischief

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“The constitution has divided the powers of government into three branches, Legislative, Executive and Judiciary, lodging each with a distinct magistracy. The Legislative it has given completely to the Senate and House of Representatives. It has declared that the Executive powers shall be vested in the President, submitting special articles of it to a negative by the Senate, and it has vested the Judiciary power in the courts of justice, with certain exceptions also in favor of the Senate.”

Source: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretary of state

“Some men look at Constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them, like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment. I knew that age well; I belonged to and labored with it. It deserved well of its country. It was very like the present, but without the experience of the present; and forty years of experience in Government is worth a century of book-reading; and this they would say themselves, were they to rise from the dead.”

“I do not like [in the new Federal Constitution] the omission of a Bill of Rights providing clearly and without the aid of sophisms for... protection against standing armies”

Rights Standing Constitution Army Bills Protection Aids Providing Bill Of Rights Omission

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“While the principles of our Constitution give just latitude to inquiry, every citizen faithful to it will deem embodied expressions of discontent and open outrages of law and patriotism as dishonorable as they are injurious”

Giving Law Principles Expression Citizens Constitution Faithful Inquiry Discontent Outrage Latitude Dishonorable

Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson

“The constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruption's of time and party, its members would become despots.”

Hands Party Knowing Members Constitution Corruption Despotism Despots Tribunals Judicial Review

Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private

“How to check these unconstitutional invasions of rights by the Federal judiciary? Not by impeachment in the first instance, but by a strong protestation of both houses of Congress that such and such doctrines advanced by the Supreme Court are contrary to the Constitution; and if afterwards they relapse into the same heresies, impeach and set the whole adrift. For what was the government divided into three branches, but that each should watch over the others and oppose their usurpations?”

“Many of the opposition [to the new Federal Constitution] wish to take from Congress the power of internal taxation. Calculation has convinced me that this would be very mischievous.”

Would Be Wish Constitution Congress Convinced Opposition Internals Taxation Calculations Mischievous

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“It is important to strengthen the State governments; and as this cannot be done by any change in the Federal Constitution (for the preservation of that is all we need contend for), it must be done by the States themselves, erecting such barriers at the constitutional line as cannot be surmounted either by themselves or by the General Government. The only barrier in their power is a wise government. A weak one will lose ground in every contest.”

Needs Important States Done Government Loses Lines Wise Weak Constitution Barriers Preservation Contests State Government

Book:The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1789-1792

Source: The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1789-1792

“The President is bound to stop at the limits prescribed by our Constitution and law to the authorities in his hands, [and this] would apply in an occasion of peace as well as war.”

Wells War Hands Law President Limits Authority Constitution Bounds Occasions

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.”

“The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.”

Source: The portable Thomas Jefferson

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Men Life Self Truth Happiness Certain Change Freedom Liberty Rights Politician Equal Constitution Independence Creator Equality Pursuit Fourth American Dream Evident Declaration 4th Of July Pursuit Of Happiness July Freedom Liberty Religious Freedom Declaration Of Independence Individual Rights Freedom Of Religion Rights And Freedoms Right To Life American Patriotic Natural Rights Deism Inalienable Rights Us Constitution Founding Fathers Democracy Liberty And Justice America Freedom July 4th 1776 Price Of Freedom Usa Patriotic Equality For All Independence And Freedom American Freedom Happy Independence Day Usa 4th Of July Inspirational Unalienable Rights Deist Liberty And Equality Equality Of Man Fourth Of July Inspirational Life Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness 4th Of July Wishes Consent Of The Governed Us Independence Day Happy 4th Of July Human Equality Creator God 4th Of July Military Best Things In Life Are Free Pursuit Of Justice Popular Sovereignty Rights In America Rights To Life Domestic Tranquility

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“As new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times.”

Made Opinion Circumstances Discovery Constitution Institutions Manners Pace In-laws Civilized Society New Discoveries Amending The Constitution

Book:Thomas Jefferson: His Words and Vision

Source: Thomas Jefferson: His Words and Vision

“On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit of the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.”

Trying May Spirit Constitution Libertarian Debate Patriotism Construction Amendments Conform Adopted Freedom Liberty Right To Bear Arms Bearing Arms Rights And Freedoms 2 Amendment Us Constitution

Book:Memoirs, Correspondence, and Private Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Late President of the United States

Source: Memoirs, Correspondence, and Private Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Late President of the United States

“I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”

Source: Thomas Jefferson, His Words and Vision

“An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.”

Men Feels Political Politics Leadership Pleasure Power Honest Honesty Citizens Exercise Constitution Fellows Dishonesty Honest Man

Book:Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies: From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson

Source: Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies: From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson

“Resolved ... that it would be a dangerous delusion were a confidence in the men of our choice to silence our fears for the safety of our rights: that confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism - free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence.”

Men Government Would Be Choices Parent Silence Rights Dangerous Constitution Safety Delusion Despotism Our Choices Free Government

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.”

“I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government; I mean an additional article taking from the Federal Government the power of borrowing.”

Source: Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies from the papers of T. Jefferson

“An elective despotism was not the government we fought for.”

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson

“I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power not longer susceptible of any definition.”

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private : published by the order of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, from the original manuscripts, deposited in the Department of State

“All authority belongs to the people... In questions of power let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief with chains of the Constitution.”

People Men Liberty Heard Authority Constitution Chains Mischief

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another, and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.”

Source: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence, cont

“Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power.”

Government Liberty Constitution Obliged Free Government

Book:The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1793-1798

Source: The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1793-1798

“The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves and united as to everything respecting foreign nations. Let the general government be reduced to foreign concerns only.”

States Government Nations United Liberty Theory Concern Constitution Independent Wisest

Book:The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. IX (in 12 Volumes)

Source: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. IX (in 12 Volumes)

“The Constitution is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form they please.”

May Hands Form Please Shapes Constitution Mere Patriotic Twists Judiciary Oligarchy Constitution Of The United States Us Constitution Judicial Branch Judicial Review

Book:Memoirs, Correspondence and Private Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Late President of the United States

Source: Memoirs, Correspondence and Private Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Late President of the United States

“I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. This results not only from the provision that no law shall be made respecting the establishment or free exercise of religion, but from that also which reserves to the States the powers not delegated to the United States. Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise or to assume authority in any religious discipline has been delegated to the General Government. It must then rest with the States.”

Source: Memoirs, 4: Correspondence and Private Papers

“I consider the government of the U.S. as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises.”

Government Religious Liberty Discipline Exercise Constitution Institutions Doctrine Founding Fathers Religious Religious Liberty

Book:Jefferson on Freedom: Wisdom, Advice, and Hints on Freedom, Democracy, and the American Way

Source: Jefferson on Freedom: Wisdom, Advice, and Hints on Freedom, Democracy, and the American Way

“An elective despotism was not the government we fought for, but one which should not only be founded on true free principles, but in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among general bodies of magistracy, as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.”

“The mobs of the great cities add just so much to the support of pure government as sores do to the strength of the human body. It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigor. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the heart of its laws and constitution.”

People Humans Heart Body Government Law Spirit Politics Cities Liberty Support Pure Constitution Add Manners Preserves Republic Human Body Vigor Great Cities

Book:The Essential Jefferson

Source: The Essential Jefferson

“Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force.”

Government Force Liberty Constitution Assuming Libertarian Void Limited Government Limiting Government Us Constitution Limiting Freedom States Rights

Book:The portable Thomas Jefferson

Source: The portable Thomas Jefferson

“It is (our) duty . . . to pay especial attention to the principles of government which shall be inculcated therein (at the University), and to provide that none shall be inculcated which are incompatible with those on which the Constitutions of this State, and of the United States were genuinely based, in the common opinion; and for this purpose it may be necessary to point out specially where these principles are to be found legitimately developed.”

May States Government Purpose Found United Common Pay Attention Education Opinion Principles United States Duty Constitution University

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others.”

Government Political Religion Church Religious Liberty Atheism Internet Constitution Libertarian Separation Free Speech Secular Coercion Church And State Freedom And Liberty Separation Of Church And State Freedom Liberty Our Founding Fathers Property Rights Religious Freedom Religious Belief Limited Government Founding Fathers Christian State Government Us Founding Fathers Forefathers Founding Fathers Religion Separation Between Church And State Founding Fathers Religious American Government Religious Liberty Limiting Government Founding Fathers Anti Religion Founding Fathers Of America Founding America American Founding Fathers Founding Fathers Atheist Deism Christian Atheist Christian Father Separation Of Powers Religion And Government Theocracy Christian Right Limiting Freedom Constitutional Government Drug Prohibition Religious Truth Power Government Non Religious Christian Freedom Legitimate Government Legitimate Power

Book:The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Inaugural addresses and messages. Replies to public addresses. Indian addresses. Miscellaneous: 1. Notes on Virginia; 2. Biographical sketches of distinguished men; 3. The batture of New Orleans

Source: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Inaugural addresses and messages. Replies to public addresses. Indian addresses. Miscellaneous: 1. Notes on Virginia; 2. Biographical sketches of distinguished men; 3. The batture of New Orleans

“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”

Men Government Law Justice Principles Constitution Trials Civil Rights Jury Anchors Rule Of Law Property Rights Trial By Jury Legal Rights Jury Duty Nullification Judge And Jury Trial Lawyers

Book:The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence

Source: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence

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