--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The laws are, and ought to be, relative…" description: "\"The laws are, and ought to be, relative to the constitution, and not the constitution to the laws. A constitution is the organization of offices in a s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b8/aristotle-78_body_the-laws-are-and-ought-to-be-relative-to_1950963.png" --- # The laws are, and ought to be, relative to the… ![“The laws are, and ought to be, relative to the constitution, and not the constitution to the laws. A constitution is the organization of offices in a state, and determines what is to be the governing body, and what is the end of each community. But laws are not to be confounded with the principles…” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b8/aristotle-78_body_the-laws-are-and-ought-to-be-relative-to_1950963.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b8/aristotle-78_body_the-laws-are-and-ought-to-be-relative-to_1950963.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b8/aristotle-78_body_the-laws-are-and-ought-to-be-relative-to_1950963.png) > “The laws are, and ought to be, relative to the constitution, and not the constitution to the laws. A constitution is the organization of offices in a state, and determines what is to be the governing body, and what is the end of each community. But laws are not to be confounded with the principles of the constitution; they are the rules according to which the magistrates should administer the state, and proceed against offenders.” [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Laws should be shaped by constitutional principles, not the other way around; constitutions define governance, while laws operationalize it. **In simple terms:** Laws follow the constitution, not vice versa. Key Takeaway Design laws that reflect constitutional intent. Themes law constitution governance Mood analytical critical Type philosophical academic When to use this quote - legislative drafting - judicial review - policy analysis Key Concepts legal theory political philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure laws stay true to constitutional values? - What mechanisms guard against constitutional drift? A Different Perspective Constitutions can be vague, leading to interpretive disputes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Governing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governing/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) ## Related quotes > [One citizen differs from another, but the salvation of the community is the common business of them all. This community is the constitution; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/one-citizen-differs-from-another-but-the-salvation-of-the-community/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The Constitution is constant. 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The Constitution isn't here; you're here. 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We don't get inalienable rights from the Constitution; we get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/america-derives-its-laws-from-its-constitution-it-derives-its-values/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [ According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I \[the Lord\] have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/according-to-the-laws-and-constitution-of-the-people-which-i-the-lord/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) ## More by Aristotle > [The knowledge of the soul admittedly contributes greatly to the advance of truth in general, and, above all, to our understanding of Nature, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-knowledge-of-the-soul-admittedly-contributes-greatly-to-the/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. 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