And yet we have what purports, or professes, or is…
“And yet we have what purports, or professes, or is claimed, to be a contract—the Constitution—made eighty years ago, by men who are now all dead, and who never had any power to bind us, but which (it is claimed) has nevertheless bound three generations of men, consisting of many millions, and which (it is claimed) will be binding upon all the millions that are to come; but which nobody ever signed, sealed, delivered, witnessed, or acknowledged; and which few persons, compared with the whole number that are claimed to be bound by it, have ever read, or even seen, or ever will read, or see.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The Constitution is treated as a binding contract despite being unsigned, unread, and created by dead men, raising questions about its legitimacy and authority.
In simple terms: The Constitution is seen as an outdated, unsigned contract.
Key Takeaway
Question its authority and seek reforms.
Themes
law
politics
history
legitimacy
contract
Mood
critical
skeptical
reflective
Type
analytical
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- citizen activism
- constitutional reform
- legal education
- public debate
- policy making
Key Concepts
social contract
authority
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we still obey laws we never agreed to?
- How can we modernize foundational documents?
A Different Perspective
Its authority depends on collective acceptance, not just legal formalities.