Believe Quote by James Madison

A constitution, in the American sense of the word, is a written instrument by which the fundamental powers of the government are established, limited,…

— Samuel Freeman Miller

The proposed Constitution, so far from implying an abolition of the State governments, makes them constituent parts of the national sovereignty, by allowing them…

— Alexander Hamilton

America's founders were clear that the Constitution established a federal government of few and defined powers. It cannot regulate any activity it chooses, but…

— Orrin Hatch

“Our forefathers bequeathed to us far more than a republic. They willed to us an enduring Constitution that incorporates more thought and brainpower than…

— James D. Best

The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments…

— James Madison

That the people have an original right to establish, for their future government, such principles as, in their opinion, shall most conduce to their…

— John Marshall

Our constitutions purport to be established by 'the people,' and, in theory, 'all the people' consent to such government as the constitutions authorize. But…

— Lysander Spooner

Those who proposed the Constitution knew, and those who ratified the Constitution also knew that this is...a limited government tied down to specified powers....It…

— James Madison

THE Constitution proposed by the convention may be considered under two general points of view. The FIRST relates to the sum or quantity of…

— James Madison

The whole frame of the Federal Constitution proves that the government which it creates was intended to be one of limited and specified powers.

— James K. Polk

When the citizens at large administer the state for the common interest, the government is called by the generic name - a constitution.

— Aristotle

A constitution is not the act of a government, but of a people constituting a government; and government without a constitution is power without…

— Thomas Paine