America Quote by Gouverneur Morris
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
About This Quote
Source Document: United States Constitution, 1787
The preamble outlines the goals of government: unity, justice, peace, defense, welfare, and liberty for current generations.
In simple terms: The Constitution sets the nation’s purpose and values.
Key Takeaway
Remember the founding goals.
Themes
government
law
citizenship
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
foundational
political
When to use this quote
- civic education
- policy debate
- community organizing
Key Concepts
social contract
political philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance individual liberty with collective welfare?
- What does “more perfect Union” mean today?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations vary, leading to political conflict.
![“[T]he hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty - that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not…” quote by George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bbf/george-washington-257_american-revolution_t-he-hour-is-fast-approaching-on-which-t_677729.jpg)
![“[F]or avoiding the extremes of despotism or anarchy . . . the only ground of hope must be on the morals of the people. I believe that religion is the only solid base of morals and that morals are the only possible support of free governments. [T]herefore education should teach the precepts of…” quote by Gouverneur Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e6/gouverneur-morris-26042_anarchy_f-or-avoiding-the-extremes-of-despotism_622195.jpg)
![“There must be religion. When that ligament is torn, society is disjointed and its members perish... [T]he most important of all lessons is the denunciation of ruin to every state that rejects the precepts of religion.” quote by Gouverneur Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b75/gouverneur-morris-26042_important_there-must-be-religion-when-that-ligamen_1508211.jpg)
![“[On the eve of the French Revolution:] It is impossible to imagine a more disorderly Assembly. They neither reason, examine, nor discuss. They clap those whom they approve and hiss those whom they disapprove. . . . Everything almost is elective, and consequently no one obeys. It is an anarchy…” quote by Gouverneur Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/77a/gouverneur-morris-26042_freedom_on-the-eve-of-the-french-revolution-it-i_1720772.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
