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Constitution Quotes

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Constitution Quotes

“If we do not get a universal acceptance of the constitution the likelihood of the violence continuing is there. If it had been an inclusive exercise -- as when everybody had embraced the constitution and everyone saw his interest protected by the constitution -- I think it would have been a rallying exercise. We are not there at this stage”

IfsThinkingHas BeensInterestSawsViolenceStageAcceptanceExerciseUniversalConstitutionProtectedContinuingLikelihoodRallying
Author:Kofi Annan
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“The refunding of the national debt at a lower rate of interest should be accomplished without compelling the withdrawal of the national-bank notes, and thus disturbing the business of the country.”

ShouldCountryInterestMoneyEconomicsConstitutionNotesRateDebtAccomplishedCompellingDisturbingWithdrawalNational Debt
Book:Inaugural Speeches from the Presidents of the United States - Complete Edition
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“It's important that we recognize how extreme the Republicans are in almost every case and how against our self-interest it is to vote for them whether or not we are disappointed with the current crew. At least they believe in the Constitution. At least they have an idea of economic justice. The Republicans are devoted to creating more rich folks.”

BelieveImportantIdeasSelfInterestJusticeCasesRichEconomicRepublicanCreatingVoteConstitutionFolksCurrentsExtremesDisappointedDevotedCrewSelf InterestEconomic Justice
Author:Gloria Steinem
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“The idea that the object of constitutions is not to confirm the predominance of any interest, but to prevent it; to preserve with equal care the independence of labour and the security of property; to make the rich safe against envy, and the poor against oppression, marks the highest level attained by the statesmanship of Greece.”

IdeasCareInterestPoorLevelsRichSecurityObjectsSafeEqualHighestConstitutionMarkIndependencePropertyEnvyOppressionPreservesLabourGreeceStatesmanship
Book:The History of Freedom (and other Essays)
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“Men who profess a state of neutrality in times of public danger, desert the common interest of their fellow subjects; and act with independence to that constitution into which they are incorporated. The safety of the whole requires our joint endeavours. When this is at stake, the indifferent are not properly a part of the community; or rather are like dead limbs, which are an encumbrance to the body, instead of being of use to it.”

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Book:The Works of Joseph Addison
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“Great part of that order which reigns among mankind is not the effect of government. It has its origin in the principles of society and the natural constitution of man. It existed prior to government, and would exist if the formality of government was abolished. The mutual dependence and reciprocal interest which man has upon man, and all the parts of civilised community upon each other, create that great chain of connection which holds it together.”

IfsMenGovernmentTogetherOrderInterestCommunityNaturalPrinciplesMankindEffectsConnectionsConstitutionChainsMutualReignDependenceReciprocalCivilisedFormality
Book:The Thomas Paine Collection: Common Sense, Rights of Man, Age of Reason, An Essay on Dream, Biblical Blasphemy, Examination Of The Prophecies
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“All normal human beings are interested in their past. Only when the interest becomes an obsession, overshadowing present and future conduct, is it a danger. In much the same way healthy nations are interested in their history, but a morbid preoccupation with past glories is a sign that something is wrong with the constitution of the State.”

WayHumansStatesPastNationsInterestHuman BeingsHistoryDangerHealthyNormalGloryConstitutionObsessionPreoccupationMorbidOvershadowing
Author:C. V. Wedgwood
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“First, the constitution ought to secure a genuine and guard against a select militia, by providing that the militia shall always be kept well organized, armed, and disciplined, and include, according to the past and general usuage of the states, all men capable of bearing arms; and that all regulations tending to render this general militia useless and defenceless, by establishing select corps of militia, or distinct bodies of military men, not having permanent interests and attachments in the community to be avoided.”

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Author:Patrick Henry
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“You have, at the same time, placed your confidence in me, and in my ability to render a free, fair judgment - to uphold the Constitution and my oath of office - and to reject any kind of religious pressure or obligation that might directly or indirectly interfere with my conduct of the Presidency in the national interest.”

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Author:John F. Kennedy
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“But having made my decision as Commander-in-Chief based on what I am convinced is our national security interests, I will seek authorization for the use of force from the American people's representatives in Congress.”

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Author:Barack Obama
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“A small knowledge of human nature will convince us, that, with far the greatest part of mankind, interest is the governing principle... Few men are capable of making a continual sacrifice of all views of private interest, or advantage, to the common good. It is vain to exclaim against the depravity of human nature on this account; the fact is so, the experience of every age and nation has proved it and we must in a great measure, change the constitution of man, before we can make it otherwise. No institution, not built on the presumptive truth of these maxims can succeed.”

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Author:George Washington
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“...compartmentalization of occupations and interests bring about a separation of that mode of activity commonly called 'practice' from insight; of imagination from executive 'doing.' Each of these activities is then assigned its own place in which it must abide. Those who write the anatomy of experience then suppose that these divisions inhere in the very constitution of human nature.”

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Author:John Dewey
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“Some liberal interest groups have come out in full force and have attempted to paint Judge [Samuel] Alito to be an extremist and to be an activist. They've criticized a nominee who has, from what I see described by these lawyers and fellow judges, a reputation of being a restrained jurist committed to the rule of law and the Constitution.”

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Author:Chuck Grassley
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“"The Constitution" has something called The Emoluments Clause. That's just a fancy, 18th century word for no foreign government payments. And Donald Trump is collecting foreign government payments and other benefits throughout his business.It is a direct violation of "The Constitution" and unless he divests, not just operations, he must divest from all business interests or he will be in violation of "The Constitution" from day one.”

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Author:Norman L. Eisen
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“I am concerned that Donald Trump walks into the White House a walking conflict of interest in violation of the emoluments clause of the constitution, and the Stock Act. It is important to investigate whether there are financial levers, not just Russia - China, the Emirates. Because he will never make America great again - I don't believe he ever will, but he will not do so if he's beholden to.”

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Author:Katrina vanden Heuvel
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“The Constitution. . . illustrates the complexity of the American system: that it serves the interests of a wealthy elite, but also does enough for small property owners, for middle-income mechanics and farmers, to build a broad base of support. The slightly prosperous people who make up this base of support are buffers against the blacks, the Indians, the very poor whites. They enable the elite to keep control with a minimum of coercion, a maximum of law--all made palatable by the fanfare of patriotism and unity.”

PeopleDoeMadeEnoughLawInterestPoorSupportMiddleConstitutionPropertyUnityIncomeIndianComplexityOwnersWealthyBroadsFarmersElitesMinimumMechanicMaximumProsperousCoercionFanfare
Book:A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present
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“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this; secured to the inventor, for a limited time, the exclusive use of his invention; and thereby added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius, in the discovery and production of new and useful things.”

MenCountryUseMightLawScienceNextInterestFireSpecialChangedGeniusDiscoveryAdvantageConstitutionEnglandProductionsInventionFuelAdoptionExclusiveInventorAnother ManPatentsSecuredUseful ThingsLimited TimeDiscovery And InventionPatent Law
Author:Abraham Lincoln
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“A rock or stone is not a subject that, of itself, may interest a philosopher to study; but, when he comes to see the necessity of those hard bodies, in the constitution of this earth, or for the permanency of the land on which we dwell, and when he finds that there are means wisely provided for the renovation of this necessary decaying part, as well as that of every other, he then, with pleasure, contemplates this manifestation of design, and thus connects the mineral system of this earth with that by which the heavenly bodies are made to move perpetually in their orbits.”

WellsMayMeanMadeHardBodyEarthMovingScienceInterestPleasureStudyLandSubjectsRocksDesignStonesConstitutionPhilosopherManifestationHeavenlyContemplatingGeologyOrbitMineralsRenovationHeavenly Bodies
Book:Theory of the Earth: With Proofs and Illustrations
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“Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves.”

PeopleThinkingMenWritingTwoCountryHandsPoliticsSpeakWishInterestPartyClassWiseHonestHigherSafeDrawsConstitutionCherishDividedDistrustHave ConfidencePublic InterestMost Wise
Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson
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“The tribute that is due to the talents, the rectitude, and the patriotism which adorn the characters selected to devise and adopt them. In these honorable qualifications, I behold the surest pledges, that as on one side, no local prejudices, or attachments; no seperate views, nor party animosities, will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests: so, on another, that the foundations of our National policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality...”

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Author:George Washington
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“In the formation of our constitution the wisdom of all ages is collected-the legislators of antiquity are consulted, as well as the opinions and interests of the millions who are concerned. It short, it is an empire of reason.”

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Book:An Examination Into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution Proposed by the Late Convention Held at Philadelphia: With Answers to the Principal Objections that Have Been Raised Against the System
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“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.”

SeemsPresidentInterestPowerExerciseConstitutionCongressGrantsPublic InterestUndefined
Book:William Howard Taft: Essential Writings and Addresses
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“The constitution ought to secure a genuine militia and guard against a select militia. ...All regulations tending to render this general militia useless and defenseless, by establishing select corps of militia, or distinct bodies of military men, not having permanent interests and attachments to the community ought to be avoided.”

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Author:Richard Henry Lee
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“To think that because those who wield power in society wield in the end that of government, therefore it is of no use to attempt to influence the constitution of the government by acting on opinion, is to forget that opinion is itself one of the greatest active social forces. One person with a belief is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests.”

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Book:Considerations on Representative Government
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“A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens.”

StatesGovernmentEnjoyInterestDemocracyRightsEconomicCitizensProtectConstitutionIndependentIndependencePressesCriticalProtectionSufficientOfficialsFavourInterferenceVested InterestsInquiringGovernment Officials
Author:Nelson Mandela
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