Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution has been the subject of many famous quotes over the years, from the Founding Fathers to modern-day politicians and legal experts. The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America and has been the envy of the world for over 200 years. It has guided the country through its most enduring democratic system of government and helped create the environment for the greatest economic engine in history. Here are some of the most famous quotes from the US Constitution and those who interpret it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Quotes from the US Constitution | "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." |
| "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." | |
| "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." | |
| "The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny." | |
| "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." | |
| Quotes about the US Constitution | "The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards." |
| "The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks." | |
| "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." | |
| "The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself." | |
| "The American dream comes from opportunity. The opportunity comes from our founding principles, our core values that's held together and protected by the Constitution." | |
| "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." | |
| "The Constitution is the sole source and guaranty of national freedom." |
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What You'll Learn
Quotes from the Preamble
The Preamble to the US Constitution is a concise statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles of the document. It sets the tone and provides context for the rest of the Constitution, outlining the intentions of its framers. Here are some notable quotes from the Preamble:
"We the People of the United States"
This phrase is a powerful declaration of sovereignty, indicating that the Constitution is established by the people and for the people. It underscores the democratic nature of the American government, where power originates from the citizens. This statement contradicted the notion that state governments were sovereign, as claimed by the State of Maryland in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819). The Court rejected this claim, emphasising that the government is "ordained and established" by the people themselves.
"In Order to form a more perfect Union"
The Preamble recognises the need for a stronger and more unified nation. The phrase "more perfect Union" implies a desire to improve upon the existing union of the states, addressing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that preceded the Constitution.
"Establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity"
These words outline five critical objectives of the Constitution. They emphasise the importance of justice, peace within the nation, collective defence, the well-being of the people, and the preservation of liberty for both the present and future generations.
"Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"
This statement affirms the enactment of the Constitution as the fundamental law of the land. It underscores the intention to create a single authoritative document that would serve as the basis for governance in the United States of America.
The Preamble, though often referred to as a mere "preamble," holds significant weight. It encapsulates the core values and aspirations that underpin the entire Constitution, providing a framework for interpreting the rights and powers outlined in the subsequent articles and amendments.
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Quotes about freedom of thought
The US Constitution is a powerful document that has guided the nation since its inception. Within it are many quotes that highlight the importance of freedom of thought and expression, which are fundamental to American society.
One of the most famous quotes from the Constitution itself is the First Amendment, which states:
> "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
This amendment protects the freedom of thought and expression by prohibiting the government from establishing an official religion or restricting the free exercise of religion. It also guarantees the freedom of speech and the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government.
Another important quote from the Constitution is the Preamble, which sets out the purpose and goals of the document:
> "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
This quote highlights the intention of the Constitution to create a fair and just society, with liberty and domestic tranquility for all citizens.
Beyond the words of the Constitution itself, many notable figures have made powerful statements about freedom of thought and expression in the context of American society. For example, Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to N. G. Dufief in 1814, wrote:
> "It is now well established that the Constitution protects the right to receive information and ideas." Is this then our freedom of religion? And are we to have a censor whose imprimatur shall say what books may be sold, and what we may buy? And who is thus to dogmatize religious opinions for our citizens? Whose foot is to be the measure to which ours are all to be cut or stretched? Is a priest to be our inquisitor, or shall a layman, simple as ourselves, set up his reason as the rule for what we are to read, and what we must believe? It is an insult to our citizens to question whether they are rational beings or not, and blasphemy against religion to suppose it cannot stand the test of truth and reason. If [this] book be false in its facts, disprove them; if false in its reasoning, refute it. But, for God’s sake, let us freely hear both sides, if we choose."
In this quote, Jefferson passionately defends the right to receive information and ideas, arguing against censorship and in favour of religious freedom and the freedom to hear different viewpoints.
Similarly, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas emphasised the importance of freedom of thought and expression, stating:
> "Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, also recognised the intrinsic link between freedom of thought, wisdom, and liberty:
> "Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as publick Liberty, without Freedom of Speech."
These quotes from the US Constitution and prominent figures in American history underscore the fundamental value placed on freedom of thought and expression in the nation's fabric. They continue to serve as a reminder and inspiration for upholding these liberties.
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Quotes about the right to bear arms
The right to bear arms is a contentious issue in the United States, with the Second Amendment stating:
> A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
This amendment has been interpreted in various ways, with some arguing for the right of individual citizens to keep and bear arms, while others emphasise the role of state-run militias. The following quotes highlight the different perspectives on this issue:
Arguments for the Right to Bear Arms
Senator Richard Henry Lee in 1788 emphasised the importance of a militia, stating:
> Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. [...] To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.
In a similar vein, Cesare Beccaria, as quoted by Thomas Jefferson, argued that disarming citizens does not prevent crimes but instead leaves them vulnerable:
> The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
Seth Daniel Parker, in his novel "The Greater Good: A Novel of Divided America", highlights the danger of disarming citizens while tyrants retain their armies:
> The most devious and sinister acts of historical violence are always committed by tyrants with armies—not citizens with arms.
Arguments Against the Right to Bear Arms
On the other hand, some have argued that the presence of arms in the hands of citizens can lead to chaos and be detrimental to peace. An anonymous letter published in the Boston Gazette in 1771 under the name "Candidus" stated:
> Only think how fatal [arms] were to the peace of this country in 1770, what confusion they brought on the fatal 5th of March [the Boston Massacre]. I think the remembrance of that night is enough to make us careful how we introduce them in a free republican government—I therefore hope they will be discouraged for I think the man that enters as a soldier in a time of peace only for a living is only a fit tool to enslave his fellows.
DaShanne Stokes highlights the American problem of gun violence, which transcends political affiliations:
> Violence isn't a Democrat or Republican problem. It's an American problem, requiring an American solution.
Additionally, G. Kleck, in "Policy Lessons from Recent Gun Control Research", Law and Contemporary Problems, noted the failure of gun laws to effectively control serious crimes:
> If gun laws in fact worked, the sponsors of this type of legislation should have no difficulty drawing upon long lists of examples of criminal acts reduced by such legislation. That they cannot do so after a century and a half of trying [...] establishes the repeated, complete and inevitable failure of gun laws to control serious crime.
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Quotes about the role of government
The U.S. Constitution outlines the role of the government and the rights of the people. One of the most famous quotes from the Constitution is from the Preamble, written on September 7, 1787:
> "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
This quote emphasizes the role of the government in establishing a fair and just society, ensuring peace and safety within the nation, and promoting the well-being of its citizens. It highlights the fundamental principles upon which the Constitution was established, with the aim of creating a more united and prosperous nation.
Another important quote regarding the role of government comes from Federalist 47, written on January 30, 1788:
> "The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
This quote underscores the importance of separating powers among different branches of government to prevent the concentration of power and the potential for tyranny. It reflects the belief that a balanced distribution of power is essential for a just and effective government.
The Constitution also addresses the role of the judiciary in maintaining political rights and freedoms. Federalist 78, from May 28, 1788, includes the following quote:
> "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. [...] It may truly be said to have neither FORCE nor WILL but merely judgment; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments."
This excerpt recognizes the importance of an independent judiciary in protecting the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. It suggests that the judiciary's role is primarily one of judgment, rather than force or will, and that it relies on the executive branch for the enforcement of its decisions.
Additionally, the Constitution outlines the powers granted to Congress, including the following:
> "The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence."
This excerpt emphasizes the authority of Congress in managing territorial matters and ensuring the protection and well-being of the states within the Union.
Lastly, the Constitution addresses the role of the government in promoting progress and innovation:
> "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries."
This quote highlights the recognition of the importance of scientific and artistic advancement and the role of the government in fostering and protecting these endeavors.
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Quotes about the founding principles
The US Constitution is a revered document that has guided the nation for over 200 years. It is the world's oldest written constitution and has been the model for better government across the globe. The founding fathers, through the Constitution, laid down principles that would secure the rights and liberties of the people.
The Constitution begins with the famous words:
> "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
This powerful statement sets the tone for the entire document, emphasising the importance of unity, justice, and freedom for all Americans.
Another key principle enshrined in the Constitution is the separation of powers. The founding fathers understood the importance of dividing the legislative, executive, and judiciary powers to prevent tyranny:
> "The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
The Constitution also guarantees certain fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and the right to bear arms:
> "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
>
> "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
The founding fathers also recognised the importance of adaptability and the potential need to alter the government in the future:
> "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
These quotes highlight the founding principles of the US Constitution, demonstrating the framers' commitment to creating a just, free, and united nation.
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