Constitution Quote by Gerald R. Ford
“My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. But there is a higher Power, by whatever name we honor Him, who ordains not only righteousness but love, not only justice but mercy.”
About This Quote
The speaker declares an end to a prolonged crisis, affirming the Constitution's durability and the supremacy of law over individual rule, while invoking a higher moral authority that balances justice with compassion.
In simple terms: Constitutional stability and moral guidance.
Key Takeaway
Law and higher ethics coexist.
Themes
Governance
Law
Moral authority
Justice
Mercy
Mood
Hopeful
Reassuring
Type
Political
Inspirational
When to use this quote
- National recovery after crisis
- Public reassurance
- Political speeches
Key Concepts
Constitutionalism
Divine providence
Practical Applications
- Civic education
- Policy framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How does invoking a higher power affect public trust in secular institutions?
- Can law alone ensure justice without moral compassion?
![“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)
