Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

“I considered 4 of these bills [of the revised code of Virginia] as forming a system by which every fibre would be eradicated of antient or future aristocracy; and a foundation laid for a government truly republican.”

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Create image

Author

Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States, a distinguished politician, philosopher, architect, and scientist. He was born on April 13, 1743, and died on July 4, 1826. Jefferson advocated for democracy and freedom in politics and was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence. His political ideas had a profound impact on the founding and development of the United States. more

You May Also Like

“What is to be the consequence, in case the Congress shall misconstrue this part [the necessary and proper clause] of the Constitution and exercise powers not warranted by its true meaning, I answer the same as if they should misconstrue or enlarge any other power vested in them . . . the success of the usurpation will depend on the executive and judiciary departments, which are to expound and give effect to the legislative acts; and in a last resort a remedy must be obtained from the people, who can by the elections of more faithful representatives, annul the acts of the usurpers.”

PeopleIfsGivingShouldLastsAnswersCasesEffectsDependsExerciseConsequenceConstitutionElectionCongressSeparationFaithfulDepartmentExecutivesRemedyRepresentativesResortsJudiciaryClausesTrue MeaningSeparation Of PowersUsurpationUsurpers
Author:James Madison
Create image

“Nothing has yet been offered to invalidate the doctrine that the meaning of the Constitution may as well be ascertained by the Legislative as by the Judicial authority.”

WellsMayAuthorityConstitutionSeparationDoctrineJudicialSeparation Of Powers
Book:The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: As Recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. Together with the Journal of the Federal Convention, Luther Martin's Letter, Yates's Minutes, Congressional Opinions, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of '98-'99, and Other Illustrations of the Constitution
Create image

“I acknowledge, in the ordinary course of government, that the exposition of the laws and Constitution devolves upon the judicial. But I beg to know upon what principle it can be contended that any one department draws from the Constitution greater powers than another in marking out the limits of the powers of the several departments.”

KnowsGovernmentLawCoursesPrinciplesGreaterLimitsDrawsOrdinaryConstitutionSeparationAcknowledgeDepartmentJudicialSeparation Of PowersGreater Power
Book:Selected Writings of James Madison
Create image

“Good constitutions are formed upon a comparison of the liberty of the individual with the strength of government: If the tone of either be too high, the other will be weakened too much. It is the happiest possible mode of conciliating these objects, to institute one branch peculiarly endowed with sensibility, another with knowledge and firmness. Through the opposition and mutual control of these bodies, the government will reach, in its regular operations, the perfect balance between liberty and power.”

IfsBodyGovernmentIndividualPerfectLibertyToo MuchObjectsBalanceConstitutionSeparationOperationsToneBranchesOppositionComparisonMutualSensibilityInstituteFirmnessSeparation Of PowersPerfect Balance
Book:The Political Writings of Alexander Hamilton:
Create image

“[T]o preserve the republican form and principles of our Constitution and cleave to the salutary distribution of powers which that [the Constitution] has established . . . are the two sheet anchors of our Union. If driven from either, we shall be in danger of foundering.”

IfsTwoFormPrinciplesDangerRepublicanConstitutionUnionsDrivenSeparationPreservesSheetsDistributionAnchorsSeparation Of PowersDistribution Of Power
Book:Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies from the papers of T. Jefferson
Create image

“The principle of the Constitution is that of a separation of legislative, Executive and Judiciary functions, except in cases specified. If this principle be not expressed in direct terms, it is clearly the spirit of the Constitution, and it ought to be so commented and acted on by every friend of free government.”

IfsGovernmentSpiritTermPrinciplesCasesOughtDirectFunctionConstitutionSeparationExecutivesJudiciaryFree GovernmentSeparation Of PowersExecutive Branch
Book:The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 29: 1 March 1796 to 31 December 1797
Create image

“[I]n the next place, to show that unless these departments be so far connected and blended as to give to each a constitutional control over the others, the degree of separation which the maxim requires, as essential to a free government, can never in practice be duly maintained.”

GivingShowsGovernmentNextPracticeEssentialsDegreesConnectedSeparationDepartmentMaximsFree GovernmentSeparation Of Powers
Book:The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in 1788
Create image

“My construction of the constitution is very different from that you quote. It is that each department is truly independent of the others, and has an equal right to decide for itself what is the meaning of the constitution in the cases submitted to its action; and especially, where it is to act ultimately and without appeal.”

DifferentActionCasesEqualConstitutionIndependentSeparationAppealsDepartmentConstructionSeparation Of PowersWhat Is The Meaning
Book:Memoirs, 4: Correspondence and Private Papers
Create image