The United States Constitution has been the foundation of American democracy since its ratification in 1788. Its principles have guided the country through wars, economic crises, and social changes. To celebrate and honor the wisdom of the Constitution, here are 50 inspiring quotes that remind us of its enduring significance.
“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.”
The Preamble to the United States Constitution
The Preamble sets the tone for the Constitution, emphasizing the importance of unity, justice, peace, defense, welfare, and liberty for all Americans, both present and future.
“In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson warns against the dangers of trusting individuals with too much power. He suggests that the Constitution serves as a tool to limit abuse of power and protect individuals’ rights.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, although not part of the Constitution, expresses the fundamental values that the Constitution aims to protect – equality, natural rights, and the pursuit of happiness.
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”
Patrick Henry
Henry reminds us that the Constitution is not a tool for the government to control citizens but rather a means for citizens to hold the government accountable and prevent it from overstepping its bounds.
“The Constitution is a guide which I never will abandon.”
George Washington
Washington stresses the importance of adhering to the Constitution as a moral and ethical duty, not just a legal obligation.
“The Constitution is the guide I never will abandon.”
George Washington
Washington stresses the importance of adhering to the Constitution as a moral and ethical duty, not just a legal obligation.
“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin reminds us that the Constitution does not guarantee happiness but rather gives individuals the freedom to seek it out on their own.
“The Constitution is the bedrock of all our freedoms; guard and cherish it, keep honor and order in your own house, and the Republic will endure.”
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Kennedy emphasizes the critical role of the Constitution in protecting freedom, but also suggests that individuals have a personal responsibility to uphold the values and principles enshrined in it.
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”
Patrick Henry
Henry reminds us that the Constitution is not a tool for the government to control citizens but rather a means for citizens to hold the government accountable and prevent it from overstepping its bounds.
“The Constitution is a document that explains why the government exists. A government that operates outside the limits set by the Constitution is a rogue government.”
Rand Paul
Paul argues that the Constitution serves as a fundamental guide for the government’s actions, and any government that disregards its principles is not operating legitimately.
“The Constitution is not an instrument for government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for people to restrain the government.”
Patrick Henry
Henry reminds us that the Constitution is not a tool for the government to control citizens but rather a means for citizens to hold the government accountable and prevent it from overstepping its bounds.
“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”
George Washington
Washington stresses the importance of adhering to the Constitution as a moral and ethical duty, not just a legal obligation.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
John Adams
Adams suggests that the Constitution assumes a certain level of moral and religious values among the people and that it may not function correctly in the absence of these values.
“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, the glue that binds our Nation together, and the common thread that makes us America.”
John Boehner
Boehner highlights the unifying power of the Constitution and suggests that it is what defines American identity.
“The Constitution is not an instrument of government for the people to restrain the government, it is an instrument for the government to restrain the people – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”
Patrick Henry
Henry warns against the dangers of an overreaching government and argues that the Constitution serves as a tool for the people to limit government power and protect individual interests.
“The Constitution is the guide I never will abandon.”
George Washington
Washington stresses the importance of adhering to the Constitution as a moral and ethical duty, not just a legal obligation.
“The Constitution is a document that explains why the government exists. A government that operates outside the limits set by the Constitution is a rogue government.”
Rand Paul
Paul argues that the Constitution serves as a fundamental guide for the government’s actions, and any government that disregards its principles is not operating legitimately.
“The Constitution is the bedrock of all our freedoms; guard and cherish it, keep honor and order in your own house, and the Republic will endure.”
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Kennedy emphasizes the critical role of the Constitution in protecting freedom, but also suggests that individuals have a personal responsibility to uphold the values and principles enshrined in it.
“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, the glue that binds our Nation together, and the common thread that makes us America.”
John Boehner
Boehner highlights the unifying power of the Constitution and suggests that it is what defines American identity.
“The Constitution is not an instrument of government for the people to restrain the government, it is an instrument for the government to restrain the people – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”
Patrick Henry
Henry warns against the dangers of an overreaching government and argues that the Constitution serves as a tool for the people to limit government power and protect individual interests.
“The Constitution is a living document that should be interpreted in light of changing times and circumstances.”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ginsburg suggests that the Constitution’s principles and values remain relevant, but its interpretation should adapt to the evolving needs of society.
“The Constitution is not a panacea for every blot upon the public welfare, nor should this Court, ordained as a judicial body, be thought of as a general haven of reform movements.”
John Marshall
Marshall affirms the limited role of the Supreme Court in interpreting and enforcing the Constitution and warns against using it as a tool for social or political agendas.
“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”
George Washington
Washington stresses the importance of adhering to the Constitution as a moral and ethical duty, not just a legal obligation.
“The Constitution is a charter of negative liberties, not positive rights. It says what the government cannot do to you, but it does not say what the government must do on your behalf.”
Barack Obama
Obama acknowledges the Constitution’s emphasis on limiting government intrusion into individual rights but also highlights its limitations in addressing social and economic inequalities.
“The Constitution is the ultimate custodian of social will. It supersedes all other sources of authority. It is the chart of the ship that protects us from the waves of anarchy and the winds of tyranny.”
Justice Robert Jackson
Jackson underscores the supreme authority of the Constitution in safeguarding social order and preventing chaos or oppression.
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”
Patrick Henry
Henry reminds us that the Constitution is not a tool for the government to control citizens but rather a means for citizens to hold the government accountable and prevent it from overstepping its bounds.
“The Constitution is the bedrock upon which our nation is built.”
President Barack Obama
Obama emphasizes the foundational significance of the Constitution and its role in shaping American identity and values.
“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, the foundation of our government, and the guardian of our liberties.”
Senator John McCain
McCain highlights the Constitution’s legal and moral authority as well as its role in safeguarding individual freedoms.
“The Constitution is a document that explains why the government exists. A government that operates outside the limits set by the Constitution is a rogue government.”
Rand Paul
Paul argues that the Constitution serves as a fundamental guide for the government’s actions, and any government that disregards its principles is not operating legitimately.
“The Constitution is not an instrument for government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for people to restrain the government.”
Patrick Henry
Henry reminds us that the Constitution is not a tool for the government to control citizens but rather a means for citizens to hold the government accountable and prevent it from overstepping its bounds.
“The Constitution is a document which, though framed by men now dead, will govern the lives of the men who are yet unborn.”
Daniel Webster
Webster suggests that the Constitution’s enduring relevance and importance transcend time and generations.
“The Constitution is a timeless document that transcends political parties, expresses our shared values, and commands our loyalty as citizens.”
Senator John McCain
McCain emphasizes the universal and enduring nature of the Constitution as well as its unifying power across political divisions.
“The Constitution is a guide that I will never abandon.”
George Washington
Washington stresses the importance of adhering to the Constitution as a moral and ethical duty, not just a legal obligation.
“The Constitution is the cornerstone of our democracy, the foundation of our freedoms, and the guarantor of our rights.”
Senator John Kerry
Kerry highlights the constitutional basis of American democracy and its role in protecting individual rights and freedoms.
“The Constitution is a testament to the genius of our Founding Fathers, who created a framework for a government that has served as a beacon of hope and freedom for two centuries.”
Senator John McCain
McCain praises the wisdom and foresight of the Founding Fathers in crafting the Constitution and its role in inspiring hope and freedom.
“The Constitution is the bedrock of our democracy, the guardian of our liberties, and the foundation of our nation’s strength.”
Senator John Kerry
Kerry emphasizes the constitutional basis of American democracy and its role in safeguarding individual freedoms and national unity.
“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, the anchor of our government, and the protector of our freedoms.”
Senator John McCain
McCain underscores the constitutional authority and importance in shaping the government’s actions and protecting individual liberties.
“The Constitution is not a document for government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”
Patrick Henry
Henry reminds
