Constitution Quote by Frederick Douglass
“Interpreted as it ought to be interpreted, the Constitution is a glorious liberty document. Read its preamble, consider its purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? or is it in the temple? It is neither.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Abolitionist Lecture, 1865
The Constitution should be read for its true intent, not as a cover for oppression; slavery is not its purpose.
In simple terms: Read the Constitution critically for its real goals.
Key Takeaway
Question the document’s true purpose.
Themes
law
justice
slavery
interpretation
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legal studies
- civil rights activism
- education
Key Concepts
constitutional law
ethical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How does modern interpretation differ from original intent?
- What principles should guide constitutional reading today?
A Different Perspective
Historical context can shift meaning over time.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
