Best Constitution Quotes | Short & Famous Sayings Page 36

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

“The constitution of the United States is to receive a reasonable interpretation of its language, and its powers, keeping in view the objects and purposes, for which those powers were conferred. By a reasonable interpretation, we mean, that in case the words are susceptible of two different senses, the one strict, the other more enlarged, that should be adopted, which is most consonant with the apparent objects and intent of the Constitution.”

Source: Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States: With a Preliminary Review of the Constitutional History of the Colonies and States, Before the Adoption of the Constitution

“The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered by me [as President] according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated by the plain understanding of the people of the United States at the time of its adoption - a meaning to be found in the explanations of those who advocated, not those who opposed it, and who opposed it merely lest the construction should be applied which they denounced as possible.”

People Should States Found Understanding President United United States Honest Safe Constitution Unions Explanation Construction Adoption

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“The best reason to be assigned, in this case, for not having made the Constitution more free from a charge of uncertainty in its meaning, is believed to be, that it was not suspected that any such charge would ever take place; and it appears that no such charge did take place, during the early period of the Constitution, when the meaning of its authors could be best ascertained, nor until many of the contemporary lights had in the lapse of time been extinguished. How often does it happen, that a notoriety of intention diminishes the caution against its being misunderstood or doubted!”

Doe Made Reason Light Happens Cases Periods Constitution Intention Contemporary Uncertainty Diminish Caution Misunderstood Doubted Lapses Notoriety Being Misunderstood

Book:1816-1828

Source: 1816-1828

“THE Constitution proposed by the convention may be considered under two general points of view. The FIRST relates to the sum or quantity of power which it vests in the government, including the restraints imposed on the States. The SECOND, to the particular structure of the government, and the distribution of this power among its branches.”

Firsts May Two States Government Views Particular Constitution Structure Including Point Of View Relate Branches Conventions Quantity Restraint Distribution Vests

Book:The Federalist on the New Constitution

Source: The Federalist on the New Constitution

“The genius of the Constitution rests not in any static meaning it might have had in a world that is dead and gone, but in the adaptability of its great principles to cope with current problems and current needs.”

World Needs Problem Might Principles Gone Genius Constitution Currents Static Adaptability

Author:William J. Brennan

“[T]here is not a syllable in the plan under consideration which directly empowers the national courts to construe the laws according to the spirit of the Constitution.”

Law Spirit Plans Constitution Court Empowering Consideration Syllables Judiciary Federalist Federalist Papers

Book:The federalist papers

Source: The federalist papers

“The judiciary of the United States is the subtle corps of sappers and miners constantly working under ground to undermine the foundations of our confederated fabric. They are construing our constitution from a co-ordination of a general and special government to a general and supreme one alone.”

States Government United United States Special Constitution Foundation Supreme Subtle Fabric Judicial Judiciary Miners Ordination Judicial Branch Sappers

Book:Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretarry of state

Source: Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretarry of state

“Whoever attentively considers the different departments of power must perceive, that, in a government in which they are separated from each other, the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution; because it will be least in a capacity to annoy or injure them.”

Different Government Political Rights Dangerous Capacity Function Constitution Perceive Department Annoying Judiciary Political Rights

Book:The Federalist on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788, with an Appendix Containing the Letters of Pacificus and Helvidius on the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793

Source: The Federalist on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788, with an Appendix Containing the Letters of Pacificus and Helvidius on the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793

“If, then, the courts of justice are to be considered as the bulwarks of a limited Constitution against legislative encroachments, this consideration will afford a strong argument for the permanent tenure of judicial offices, since nothing will contribute so much as this to that independent spirit in the judges which must be essential to the faithful performance of so arduous a duty.”

Source: The Fœderalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favor of the New Constitution, as Agreed Upon by the Fœderal Convention, September 17, 1787. Reprinted from the Original Text. With an Historical Introduction and Notes

“The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body. If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two, that which has the superior obligation and validity ought, of course, to be preferred; or, in other words, the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute, the intention of the people to the intention of their agents.”

Source: The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers

“A good constitution is infinitely better than the best despot.”

Constitution Tyrants Despots

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“The instability of our laws is really an immense evil. I think it would be well to provide in our constitutions that there shall always be a twelve-month between the ingross-ing a bill & passing it: that it should then be offered to its passage without changing a word: and that if circum-stances should be thought to require a speedier passage, it should take two thirds of both houses instead of a bare majority.”

Ifs Thinking Should Wells Two Would Be Law Evil House Months Thirds Constitution Bills Majority Passing Passings Passages Twelve Immense Stance Instability Passing It

Book:Jefferson: Political Writings

Source: Jefferson: Political Writings

“Wise politicians will be cautious about fettering the government with restrictions that cannot be observed, because they know that every break of the fundamental laws, though dictated by necessity, impairs that sacred reverence which ought to be maintained in the breast of rulers towards the constitution of a country.”

Knows Country Government Law Break Wise Ought Politician Constitution Fundamentals Sacred Breasts Reverence Rulers Restriction Cautious Be Cautious

Author:Alexander Hamilton

“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.”

“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.”

Wells May Authority Constitution Separation Doctrine Judicial Separation 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

Source: 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

“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.”

Knows Government Law Courses Principles Greater Limits Draws Ordinary Constitution Separation Acknowledge Department Judicial Separation Of Powers Greater Power

Book:Selected Writings of James Madison

Source: Selected Writings of James Madison

“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.”

Source: The Political Writings of Alexander Hamilton:

“[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.”

Ifs Two Form Principles Danger Republican Constitution Unions Driven Separation Preserves Sheets Distribution Anchors Separation Of Powers Distribution Of Power

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

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

“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.”

Ifs Government Spirit Term Principles Cases Ought Direct Function Constitution Separation Executives Judiciary Free Government Separation Of Powers Executive Branch

Book:The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 29: 1 March 1796 to 31 December 1797

Source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 29: 1 March 1796 to 31 December 1797

“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.”

Different Action Cases Equal Constitution Independent Separation Appeals Department Construction Separation Of Powers What Is The Meaning

Book:Memoirs, 4: Correspondence and Private Papers

Source: Memoirs, 4: Correspondence and Private Papers

“It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another [for the Executive] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first comports with, the last violates, the fundamental principles of good government; and, whatever may be the forms of the Constitution, unites all power in the same hands.”

Firsts May Body Hands Government Lasts Form Law Principles One Thing Constitution Fundamentals Separation Dependent Executives Subordinates Fundamental Principles Separation Of Powers

Book:The Federalist on the New Constitution

Source: The Federalist on the New Constitution

“A constitution defines and limits the powers of the government it creates. It therefore follows, as a natural and also a logical result, that the governmental exercise of any power not authorized by the constitution is an assumed power, and therefore illegal.”

Government Natural Results Exercise Limits Constitution Separation Logical Illegal Separation Of Powers

Book:Citizen Paine: Thomas Paine's Thoughts on Man, Government, Society, and Religion

Source: Citizen Paine: Thomas Paine's Thoughts on Man, Government, Society, and Religion

“To what expedient then shall we finally resort, for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government, as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places.”

Source: The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788

“Should the States reject this excellent Constitution, the probability is, an opportunity will never again offer to cancel another in peacethe next will be drawn in blood.”

Should States Next Opportunity Peace Blood Offers Constitution Excellent Rejects Probability

Author:George Washington

“The President can exercise no power which cannot be fairly and reasonably traced to some specific grant of power in the Federal Constitution or in an act of Congress passed in pursuance thereof. There is no undefined residuum of power which he can exercise because it seems to him to be in the public interest.”

Seems President Interest Power Exercise Constitution Congress Grants Public Interest Undefined

Book:William Howard Taft: Essential Writings and Addresses

Source: William Howard Taft: Essential Writings and Addresses

“There are two life-forces in the world I know: Jewish and gentile, ours and yours...I do not believe that this primal difference between gentile and Jew is reconcilable. You and we may come to an understanding, never to a reconciliation. There will be irritation between us as long as we are in intimate contact. For nature and constitution and vision divide us from all of you forever.”

Knows World Believe May Long Two Force Understanding Differences Vision Forever Constitution Jew Contact Intimate Divides Reconciliation Primal Irritation Gentiles Two Lives

Author:Maurice Samuel

“In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution of our country with our dearest domestic ties; adopting our fundamental laws into the bosom of our family affections; keeping inseparable and cherishing with the warmth of all their combined and mutually reflected charities, our state, our hearths, our sepulchres, and our altars.”

Source: Reflections on the Revolution in France: And on the Proceedings in Certain Societies in London Relative to that Event. In a Letter Intended to Have Been Sent to a Gentleman in Paris

“I think this president has so badly abused his power, breached his trust in remarkable ways with our Congress, with the American people, has violated so many of our international treaty obligations, our Constitution, our domestic statutory laws, and has been responsible for ordering and condoning heinous human rights violations. We need to draw the line.”

People Thinking Way Needs Humans Has Beens Law President Lines Rights Draws Constitution Responsible International Congress Human Rights Obligation Remarkable Violation Treaties

Author:Rocky Anderson

“The bigotry is so virulent that it may be time to make Christians a protected class. Right now 'Christo-phobia' and 'Biblo-phobia' are at such a fever pitch among leftists and homosexual activists, and they need to be stopped before they get carried away in their zeal and do bodily harm to someone. Once again we must remind them our Constitution says, 'freedom of religion' and not 'freedom from religion.'”

Needs May Christian Class Right Now Constitution Harm Bigotry Activist Protected Homosexual Zeal Fever Leftists Freedom Of Religion Carried Away Phobia Fever Pitch

Author:E.W. Jackson

“U.S. Constitution declares rather unambiguously that Congress has the responsibility to “declare war.”

War Responsibility Constitution Congress

Book:The Road to War: Presidential Commitments Honored and Betrayed

Source: The Road to War: Presidential Commitments Honored and Betrayed

“It seems incredible that the trustees of typically American fortune-created foundations should have permitted them to be used to finance ideas and practices incompatible with the fundamental concepts of our Constitution. Yet there seems evidence that this may have occurred.”

Should May Ideas Seems Used Practice Concepts Evidence Should Have Constitution Foundation Fundamentals Fortune Incredibles Finance Trustees

Book:A report from Norman Dodd, director of research, covering his direction of the staff of the Special Committee of the House of Representatives to Investigate Tax Exempt Foundations for the six months' period, November 1, 1953-April 30, 1954

Source: A report from Norman Dodd, director of research, covering his direction of the staff of the Special Committee of the House of Representatives to Investigate Tax Exempt Foundations for the six months' period, November 1, 1953-April 30, 1954

“So long as the Constitution is not amended beyond recognition, so long as elections are held regularly and fairly and the ethos of secularism broadly prevails, so long as citizens can speak and write in the language of their choosing, so long as there is an integrated market and a moderately efficient civil service and army, and — lest I forget — so long as Hindi films are watched and their songs sung, India will survive”