Changed Quote by George Washington
“The Constitution which at any time exists, 'till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People is sacredly obligatory upon all.”
About This Quote
Source Document: United States Constitution, preamble and Article I, 1787
The Constitution is a binding contract that remains valid until the entire populace formally amends it.
In simple terms: The Constitution stays binding until people change it together.
Key Takeaway
Respect the rule of law and seek collective amendment when needed.
Themes
law
governance
citizenship
constitution
Mood
respectful
serious
Type
legal
political
When to use this quote
- political debates
- constitutional reform
- civic education
- public policy
- judicial review
Key Concepts
social contract
legitimacy
democracy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens effectively participate in constitutional change?
- What safeguards ensure amendments reflect the whole people's will?
A Different Perspective
Changing the Constitution requires broad consensus, which can be difficult to achieve.
![“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)
