Charter Quote by Ayn Rand
![“The [U.S.] Constitution is a limitation on the government, not on private individuals ... it does not prescribe the conduct of private individuals, only the conduct of the government ... it is not a charter for government power, but a charter of the citizen's protection against the government.” quote by Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/953/ayn-rand-59_charter_the-u-s-constitution-is-a-limitation-on_335234.jpg)
“The [U.S.] Constitution is a limitation on the government, not on private individuals ... it does not prescribe the conduct of private individuals, only the conduct of the government ... it is not a charter for government power, but a charter of the citizen's protection against the government.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Objectivist Ethics, 1960
The Constitution limits government power, protecting citizens, not dictating private behavior.
In simple terms: The Constitution protects people from government overreach, not private actions.
Key Takeaway
Defend constitutional limits on state authority.
Themes
law
government
rights
Mood
defensive
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political activism
- legal studies
- civic education
Key Concepts
limited government
individual liberty
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a “charter of protection” mean for you?
- How should citizens respond when government exceeds its limits?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations of the Constitution can differ, leading to conflict.
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
![“They [Mc Donalds] take people and give them a first job, which enables them to get a second job. They do a very good job of educating troubled young people to be good citizens and they're probably more successful than charter schools.” quote by Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a55/charlie-munger-458_be-good_they-mc-donalds-take-people-and-give-the_41809.jpg)
