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Constitution Quotes

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Constitution Quotes

“The aim of every political Constitution, is or ought to be first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of society; and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public trust.”

Men Firsts Political Next Politics Common Liberty Virtue Trust Ought Constitution Aim Pursue Virtuous Rulers Common Good Precaution Public Trust

Book:The Federalist: With Letters of Brutus

Source: The Federalist: With Letters of Brutus

“I am... for freedom of the press, and against all violations of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason the complaints or criticisms, just or unjust, of our citizens against the conduct of their agents.”

Reason Political Politics Force Silence Citizens Criticism Constitution Presses Civil Rights Agents Complaints Unjust Violation Freedom Of The Press

Book:The Inaugural Addresses of President Thomas Jefferson, 1801 And 1805

Source: The Inaugural Addresses of President Thomas Jefferson, 1801 And 1805

“Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth; and I am sure...we both value too much the freedom of opinion sanctioned by our Constitution, not to cherish its exercise even where in opposition to ourselves.”

Values Politics Differences Opinion Democracy Too Much Exercise Constitution Opposition Cherish Enquiry Differences Of Opinion

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“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.”

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson

“To me... it appears that there have been differences of opinion and party differences, from the first establishment of government to the present day, and on the same question which now divides our own country; that these will continue through all future time; that every one takes his side in favor of the many, or of the few, according to his constitution, and the circumstances in which he is placed.”

Firsts Has Beens Country Government Politics Sides Differences Party Opinion Circumstances Constitution Favors Divides Establishment Present Day Differences Of Opinion Future Time

Book:Memoirs, 4: Correspondence and Private Papers

Source: Memoirs, 4: Correspondence and Private Papers

“The germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is scarcely a scare-crow) working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little today and a little tomorrow, and advancing its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of jurisdiction, until all shall be usurped from the States, and the government of all be consolidated into one.”

“Did you hear that we're writing Iraq's new Constitution? Why not just give them ours? We're not using it anymore.”

Giving Writing Use America Political Politics Constitution Iraq Usa Why Not Middle East Funny Political

Author:Jay Leno

“In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men - yes, black men as well as white men - would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness... America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds.'”

“When the doctrine of allegiance to party can utterly up-end a man's moral constitution and make a temporary fool of him besides, what excuse are you going to offer for preaching it, teaching it, extending it, perpetuating it? Shall you say, the best good of the country demands allegiance to party? Shall you also say it demands that a man kick his truth and his conscience into the gutter, and become a mouthing lunatic, besides?”