--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We cannot improve on the system of…" description: "\"We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/barbara-jordan-7656_democracy_we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-gover_1553738.jpg" --- # We cannot improve on the system of government handed down… ![“We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.” quote by Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/barbara-jordan-7656_democracy_we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-gover_1553738.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/barbara-jordan-7656_democracy_we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-gover_1553738.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/barbara-jordan-7656_democracy_we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-gover_1553738.jpg) > “We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.” [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The existing constitutional framework is optimal; improvement lies in innovative implementation rather than structural change. **In simple terms:** The system is fine; we need better ways to use it. Key Takeaway Innovate within existing rules. Themes government innovation constitution Mood optimistic determined Type political inspirational When to use this quote - legislation - public administration - community organizing Key Concepts political theory public policy civic engagement Questions to Reflect On - What new methods can enhance current institutions? - When is reforming the system justified? A Different Perspective Changing the system may be necessary when foundational flaws appear. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Founders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founders/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Improve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improve/) [Improve Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improve-government-4664527/) [Improve New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improve-new-2918563/) [New ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-ways/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Republic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republic/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I always try to improve, to find new ways of expressing myself, to keep looking for truth and originality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-lancaster/i-always-try-to-improve-to-find-new-ways-of-expressing-myself-to-keep/) [Burt Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-lancaster/) > [Once we realize that government doesn't work, we'll know that the only way to improve government is by reducing its size - by doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/once-we-realize-that-government-doesn-t-work-we-ll-know-that-the-only/) [Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/) > [The founders of the Republic dealt with things as they were presented to them, in a spirit of self sacrificing Patriotism and as time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/the-founders-of-the-republic-dealt-with-things-as-they-were-presented/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [The Senate was an odd compromise between the founders and the early leaders of the republic who wanted a single house which was based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-packer/the-senate-was-an-odd-compromise-between-the-founders-and-the-early/) [George Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-packer/) > [Today's widespread relegation of religion to merely something people do only in the privacy of their homes or churches would have been unimaginable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-colson/today-s-widespread-relegation-of-religion-to-merely-something-people/) [Charles Colson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-colson/) > [The Founders knew that a democracy would lead to some kind of tyranny. The term democracy appears in none of our Founding documents. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/the-founders-knew-that-a-democracy-would-lead-to-some-kind-of-tyranny/) [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) > [Most of what the founders knew about the Hebraic republic, it must be emphasized, they learned from the Bible. These Americans were well aware…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-l-dreisbach/most-of-what-the-founders-knew-about-the-hebraic-republic-it-must-be/) [Daniel L Dreisbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-l-dreisbach/) > [The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-only-foundation-for-a-republic-is-to-be-laid-in-religion-without/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [Chairman Mao was after all a principal founder of the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Republic of China. In evaluating his merits and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/chairman-mao-was-after-all-a-principal-founder-of-the-chinese/) [Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/) > [For me, growing up in hip-hop culture, it's all about having the next style, the new fashion, the new way to express yourself, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-p/for-me-growing-up-in-hip-hop-culture-it-s-all-about-having-the-next/) [El-P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-p/) > [The figure of the enthusiast who has just discovered jogging or a new way to fix tofu can be said to stand or, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-h-lapham/the-figure-of-the-enthusiast-who-has-just-discovered-jogging-or-a-new/) [Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) > [It's a lot of money, but in reality what's important is the kids health. I suppose the day could come where we could walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-carter/it-s-a-lot-of-money-but-in-reality-what-s-important-is-the-kids/) [Jeff Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-carter/) > [Schools must inquire deeper into their own practices, explore new ways to motivate their learners, make use of learning styles, introduce multiple intelligences, integrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fullan/schools-must-inquire-deeper-into-their-own-practices-explore-new-ways/) [Michael Fullan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fullan/) > [I'm always looking at new ways to tell a joke so that it doesn't get stale while working on new jokes every night or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-m-always-looking-at-new-ways-to-tell-a-joke-so-that-it-doesn-t-get/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [The Beat Generation, that was a vision that we had, John Clellon Holmes and I, and Allen Ginsberg in an even wilder way, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/the-beat-generation-that-was-a-vision-that-we-had-john-clellon-holmes/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) ## More by Barbara Jordan > [We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-party-of-innovation-we-do-not-reject-our-traditions-but-we/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-believe-that-the-people-are-the-source-of-all-governmental-power/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If you had to work in the environment of Washington, D.C., as I do, and watch those men who are so imprisoned and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-had-to-work-in-the-environment-of-washington-d-c-as-i-do-and/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If youre going to play the game properly, youd better know every rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-youre-going-to-play-the-game-properly-youd-better-know-every-rule/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [All my growth and development led me to believe that if you really do the right thing, and if you play by the rules,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/all-my-growth-and-development-led-me-to-believe-that-if-you-really-do/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/for-all-of-its-uncertainty-we-cannot-flee-the-future/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation... but we are attempting on a larger scale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-people-trying-not-only-to-solve-the-problems-of-the-present/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/my-faith-in-the-constitution-is-whole-it-is-complete-it-is-total-and/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [...for the system to be credible, people actually have to be deported at the end of the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/for-the-system-to-be-credible-people-actually-have-to-be-deported-at/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [I have faith in young people because I know the strongest emotions which prevail are those of love and caring and belief and tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/i-have-faith-in-young-people-because-i-know-the-strongest-emotions/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [One thing is very clear: Illegal immigrants are not entitled to benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/one-thing-is-very-clear-illegal-immigrants-are-not-entitled-to/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If we as public officials propose, we must produce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-we-promise-as-public-officials-we-must-deliver-if-we-as-public/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [I get from the soil and spirit of Texas the feeling that I, as an individual, can accomplish whatever I want to, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/i-get-from-the-soil-and-spirit-of-texas-the-feeling-that-i-as-an/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-people-in-a-quandary-about-the-present-we-are-a-people-in/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-have-a-positive-vision-of-the-future-founded-on-the-belief-that/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) [Explore all 89 Barbara Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 11,220 Democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barbara Jordan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-government-handed-down-to-us-by/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Democracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-government-handed-down-to-us-by/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/barbara-jordan-7656_democracy_we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-gover_1553738.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/barbara-jordan-7656_democracy_we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-gover_1553738.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/barbara-jordan-7656_democracy_we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-gover_1553738.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no…” — Barbara Jordan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Barbara Jordan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We cannot improve on the system...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-government-handed-down-to-us-by/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-cannot-improve-on-the-system-of-government-handed-down-to-us-by/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```