--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I agree to this Constitution with all its…" description: "\"“I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such: because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no Form of Gov..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/benjamin-franklin-65_constitution_i-agree-to-this-constitution-with-all-it_1396183.jpg" --- # I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they… ![“I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such: because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no Form of Government but what may be a Blessing to the People if well-administred; and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administred for a Course…” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/benjamin-franklin-65_constitution_i-agree-to-this-constitution-with-all-it_1396183.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/benjamin-franklin-65_constitution_i-agree-to-this-constitution-with-all-it_1396183.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/benjamin-franklin-65_constitution_i-agree-to-this-constitution-with-all-it_1396183.jpg) > ““I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such: because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no Form of Government but what may be a Blessing to the People if well-administred; and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administred for a Course of Years and can only end in Despotism as other Forms have done before it, when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other.”” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He accepts a flawed constitution, believing a strong central government can be beneficial if well managed, but warns it may become despotic if people become corrupt. **In simple terms:** He supports a strong government despite its flaws, fearing future tyranny. Key Takeaway Balance power with vigilance. Themes government constitution power corruption Mood cautious analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legislative debates - civic education - policy design Key Concepts political theory social contract Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards prevent governmental abuse? - How can citizens stay engaged? A Different Perspective Assumes good governance is sustainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agree Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree-constitution-4880556/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Constitution Faults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution-faults-4880557/) [Despotic Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despotic-government-378195/) [Form Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form-government/) [General Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-government-236689/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [In these sentiments, sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-these-sentiments-sir-i-agree-to-this-constitution-with-all-its/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Mr. President I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/mr-president-i-confess-that-there-are-several-parts-of-this/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [ This \[the U.S. Constitution\] is likely to be administered for a course of years and then end in despotism... when the people shall become… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/this-the-u-s-constitution-is-likely-to-be-administered-for-a-course/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“As for Doing-good...I have tried it fairly, and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-i-have-tried-it-fairly-and-strange-as-it-may-seem/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Seen from a lower point of view, the Constitution, with all its faults, is very good; the law and the courts are very respectable;even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/seen-from-a-lower-point-of-view-the-constitution-with-all-its-faults/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence that I can hardly conceive a transaction of such momentous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-so-much-faith-in-the-general-government-of-the-world-by/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution, and I do not believe that the power and duty of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grover-cleveland/i-can-find-no-warrant-for-such-an-appropriation-in-the-constitution/) [Grover Cleveland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grover-cleveland/) > [The error is in the assumption that the General Government is a party to the constitutional compact. The States ... formed the compact, acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-calhoun/the-error-is-in-the-assumption-that-the-general-government-is-a-party/) [John C. Calhoun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-calhoun/) > [ To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is \[one of the\] functions of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-draw-around-the-whole-nation-the-strength-of-the-general/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If any form of government is capable of making a nation happy, ours I think bids fair now for producing that effect. But after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/if-any-form-of-government-is-capable-of-making-a-nation-happy-ours-i/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The legislator should direct his attention above all to the education of youth; for the neglect of education does harm to the constitution. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-legislator-should-direct-his-attention-above-all-to-the-education/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Even the most despotic government cannot stand except for the consent of the governed… Immediately the subject ceases to fear the despotic force, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/even-the-most-despotic-government-cannot-stand-except-for-the-consent/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [It has been said that terror is the principle of despotic government. Does your government therefore resemble despotism? Yes, as the sword that gleams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/it-has-been-said-that-terror-is-the-principle-of-despotic-government/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/if-you-think-of-yourselves-as-helpless-and-ineffectual-it-is-certain/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-the-savages-of-louisiana-wish-to-have-fruit-they-cut-the-tree-at/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) ## More by Benjamin Franklin > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-the-affairs-of-this-world-men-are-saved-not-by-faith-but-by-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [By heaven we understand a state of happiness infinite in degree, and endless in duration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-heaven-we-understand-a-state-of-happiness-infinite-in-degree-and/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-thought-that-wild-flowers-might-be-the-alphabet-of-angels/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/how-do-you-become-better-tomorrow-by-improving-yourself-the-world-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Little leaks sink the ship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/little-leaks-sink-the-ship/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/who-is-rich-he-that-is-content-who-is-that-nobody/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“But on the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/but-on-the-whole-though-i-never-arrived-at-the-perfection-i-had-been/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-good-particular-men-may-do-separately-in-relieving-the-sick-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/love-your-neighbour-yet-don-t-pull-down-your-hedge/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He that's secure is not safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-that-s-secure-is-not-safe/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) [Explore all 1,692 Benjamin Franklin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. 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Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/) [John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/) > [The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/) [Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/) > [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' 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