Constitution Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

All power is inherent in the people.

— Thomas Jefferson

The juries are our judges of all fact, and of law when they choose it.

— Thomas Jefferson

An elective despotism was not the government we fought for.

— Thomas Jefferson

A strong body makes the mind strong.

— Thomas Jefferson

The constitution of the United States is the result of the collected wisdom of our country.

— Thomas Jefferson

It is every Americans' right and obligation to read and interpret the Constitution for himself.

— Thomas Jefferson

The Constitution is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any…

— Thomas Jefferson

Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force.

— Thomas Jefferson

When two parties make a compact, there results to each a power of compelling the other to execute it.

— Thomas Jefferson

Our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution. Let us not make it a blank paper by construction.

— Thomas Jefferson

The moral sense is as much a part of our constitution as that of feeling, seeing, or hearing.

— Thomas Jefferson

The Central Bank is an institution of the most deadly hostility existing against the principles and form of our Constitution.

— Thomas Jefferson

It has been thought that the people are not competent electors of judges learned in the law. But I do not know…

— Thomas Jefferson

A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no…

— Thomas Jefferson

The President is bound to stop at the limits prescribed by our Constitution and law to the authorities in his hands, [and…

— Thomas Jefferson

The declaration of rights [Bill of Rights] is, like all other human blessings, alloyed with some inconveniences and not accomplishing fully its…

— Thomas Jefferson

The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the…

— Thomas Jefferson

Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have, with others, the same passions for party, for…

— Thomas Jefferson

As, for the safety of society, we commit honest maniacs to Bedlam, so judges should be withdrawn from their bench, whose erroneous…

— Thomas Jefferson

With all the defects in our Constitution, whether general or particular, the comparison of our government with those of Europe, is like…

— Thomas Jefferson

He [Washington] has often declared to me that he considered our new constitution as an experiment on the practicability of republican government,…

— Thomas Jefferson

It is important to strengthen the State governments; and as this cannot be done by any change in the Federal Constitution (for…

— Thomas Jefferson

I will now add what I do not like. First, the omission of a bill of rights providing clearly and without the…

— Thomas Jefferson

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by…

— Thomas Jefferson

An elective despotism was not the government we fought for, but one which should not only be founded on true free principles,…

— Thomas Jefferson

The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by…

— Thomas Jefferson

In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the…

— Thomas Jefferson

The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered by me [as President] according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated…

— Thomas Jefferson

I join cordially in admiring and revering the Constitution of the United States, the result of the collected wisdom of our country.…

— Thomas Jefferson

I see,... and with the deepest affliction, the rapid strides with which the federal branch of our government is advancing towards the…

— Thomas Jefferson

I do believe that General Washington had not a firm confidence in the durability of our government. He was naturally distrustful of…

— Thomas Jefferson

I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or…

— Thomas Jefferson

“Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.…

— Thomas Jefferson

“I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be…

— Thomas Jefferson

In the constitution of Spain as proposed by the late Cortes, there was a principle entirely new to me:... that no person…

— Thomas Jefferson

The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the States are independent as to everything within themselves,…

— Thomas Jefferson

Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the…

— Thomas Jefferson

Confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism. Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence.

— Thomas Jefferson

“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains…

— Thomas Jefferson

Bind them down by the chains of the Constitution where they can do no mischief.

— Thomas Jefferson