--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte…" description: "\"The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu.\" — John Kennedy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/john-kennedy-6970_bill_the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte_2240970.jpg" --- # The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu. ![“The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu.” quote by John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/john-kennedy-6970_bill_the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte_2240970.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/john-kennedy-6970_bill_the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte_2240970.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/john-kennedy-6970_bill_the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte_2240970.jpg) > “The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu.” [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rights are fundamental, not optional items to be selected individually. **In simple terms:** Rights aren't a menu. Key Takeaway Defend all rights equally. Themes freedom law rights Mood thoughtful serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legal education - policy debates - civil liberties advocacy Key Concepts constitutional law human rights Questions to Reflect On - Do you view rights as indivisible? - What happens when rights are prioritized selectively? A Different Perspective Treating rights as a menu can undermine their universality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bill of rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bill-of-rights/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) ## Related quotes > [In French literature, you can choose a la carte; in Spanish literature, there is only the set meal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-bergam-n/in-french-literature-you-can-choose-a-la-carte-in-spanish-literature/) [Jose Bergamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-bergam-n/) > [“A trăi în lume fără a deveni conștient de sensul ei este ca și când ai rătăci într-o mare bibliotecă fără a atinge nicio…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/a-tr-i-n-lume-f-r-a-deveni-con-tient-de-sensul-ei-este-ca-i-c-nd-ai-r/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [I was 17 years old when I built the first store... A very simple, basic store with a basic counter - not very much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-deluca/i-was-17-years-old-when-i-built-the-first-store-a-very-simple-basic/) [Fred DeLuca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-deluca/) > [As the daughter of immigrants, growing up in New York City, you are either at the table or on the menu.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-meng/as-the-daughter-of-immigrants-growing-up-in-new-york-city-you-are/) [Grace Meng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-meng/) > [But understanding the complexities of the ramen menu is an equally tricky feat for a foreigner. Both regional and stylistic variations apply to each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-khoo/but-understanding-the-complexities-of-the-ramen-menu-is-an-equally/) [Rachel Khoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-khoo/) > [In a city, it's very hard to do a restaurant, an avant-garde-cuisine restaurant, where each year you need to change the whole menu.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/in-a-city-it-s-very-hard-to-do-a-restaurant-an-avant-garde-cuisine/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) > [Every month, about 20 tons of paper are wasted in restaurant menus alone, and so, you know, by that rationale, if you just ate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homaro-cantu/every-month-about-20-tons-of-paper-are-wasted-in-restaurant-menus/) [Homaro Cantu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homaro-cantu/) > [There is a bright spot or two for the Spaniards. French toast has become freedom toast on the Air Force One breakfast menu, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-fields/there-is-a-bright-spot-or-two-for-the-spaniards-french-toast-has/) [Suzanne Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-fields/) > [Chay and I have a very normal approach to things, from writing our provision list to deciding the menu for dinner to seeing if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-akkineni/chay-and-i-have-a-very-normal-approach-to-things-from-writing-our/) [Samantha Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-akkineni/) > [When I was very young, I got my first opportunity in television with a show called 'Surfing the Menu,' and it was myself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-stone/when-i-was-very-young-i-got-my-first-opportunity-in-television-with-a/) [Curtis Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-stone/) > [I think I was eight or nine when I had my first long-form tasting menu.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-crenn/i-think-i-was-eight-or-nine-when-i-had-my-first-long-form-tasting-menu/) [Dominique Crenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-crenn/) > [“ february .. .. WARM GOAT CHEESE SALAD WITH PEARS AND WALNUTS INDIVIDUAL FILETS EN CROÛTE PARSLEY LEAF POTATOES ASPARAGUS CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-gaskell/february-warm-goat-cheese-salad-with-pears-and-walnuts-individual/) Whitney Gaskell > [If you don't have a seat at the table, you're on the menu.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ojeda/if-you-don-t-have-a-seat-at-the-table-you-re-on-the-menu/) [Richard Ojeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ojeda/) > [Others have said it before me. If you don't have a seat at the table, you're probably on the menu. And so it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/others-have-said-it-before-me-if-you-don-t-have-a-seat-at-the-table/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [Babbo's menu is only four pages, but it's overwhelming - there are 20 different pastas in there, a lot of stuff. There is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bastianich/babbo-s-menu-is-only-four-pages-but-it-s-overwhelming-there-are-20/) [Joe Bastianich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bastianich/) ## More by John Kennedy > [Louisiana's spicy, colorful politics have saddled our state with a reputation for tolerating lax ethical standards in government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/louisiana-s-spicy-colorful-politics-have-saddled-our-state-with-a/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [I think the FBI is the premier law enforcement agency in all of human history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/i-think-the-fbi-is-the-premier-law-enforcement-agency-in-all-of-human/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [If you believe that tax policy has nothing to do with the economy, then you're pretty much like a rock, only dumber.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/if-you-believe-that-tax-policy-has-nothing-to-do-with-the-economy/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [I think the American people, with some justification, think that most politicians live in la-la land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/i-think-the-american-people-with-some-justification-think-that-most/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [Just because you've seen 'My Cousin Vinny' doesn't qualify you to be a federal judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/just-because-you-ve-seen-my-cousin-vinny-doesn-t-qualify-you-to-be-a/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [Jurisdictions across the U.S. are snapping up algorithms as tools to help judges make bail and bond decisions. 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In practice, the MSRB membership structure is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/in-theory-the-msrb-is-supposed-to-protect-the-public-interest/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [I would rather drink weedkiller than support Obamacare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/i-would-rather-drink-weedkiller-than-support-obamacare/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [The Second Amendment is just as important as all the other Amendments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/the-second-amendment-is-just-as-important-as-all-the-other-amendments/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [The Democratic position seems to be everything is going to be free. Free education. Free health care. Free housing. Free love. Free kittens, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/the-democratic-position-seems-to-be-everything-is-going-to-be-free/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [I don't know a country in the world that doesn't have borders and doesn't want to know who is coming into their country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/i-don-t-know-a-country-in-the-world-that-doesn-t-have-borders-and/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [This is America. You're entitled to believe what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/this-is-america-you-re-entitled-to-believe-what-you-want/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [I don't like to be bored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/i-don-t-like-to-be-bored/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [What I think we need to do is pass a bill that says number one, you own your data. Number two, you can license…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/what-i-think-we-need-to-do-is-pass-a-bill-that-says-number-one-you/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) [Explore all 95 John Kennedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) ## More Bill quotes > [I'm a really big fan of Bill Murray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hartman/i-m-a-really-big-fan-of-bill-murray/) [Phil Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hartman/) > [“The medical profession is a money making con, they will keep you sick on a variety of expensive prescriptions and on a yo-yo into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-medical-profession-is-a-money-making-con-they-will-keep-you-sick/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [I'm obviously a huge Bill Weld fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-baker/i-m-obviously-a-huge-bill-weld-fan/) [Charlie Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-baker/) > [In the summer of 1964, my sister and I went to South Ballston, Virginia, to stay with my aunt and her kids. They passed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-p-jones/in-the-summer-of-1964-my-sister-and-i-went-to-south-ballston-virginia/) [Edward P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-p-jones/) > [I didn't make any friends in New York by insisting on moving the league headquarters to Cincinnati. The fact was that my son Bill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-giles/i-didn-t-make-any-friends-in-new-york-by-insisting-on-moving-the/) [Warren Giles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-giles/) > [We have held forums here at the White House on workplace flexibility, and the first major bill signed into law by President Obama was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/we-have-held-forums-here-at-the-white-house-on-workplace-flexibility/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [“All this waiting. Waiting for the rain to stop. Waiting in traffic. Waiting for the bill. Waiting at the airport for an old friend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/all-this-waiting-waiting-for-the-rain-to-stop-waiting-in-traffic/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [My favorite country blues player was Big Bill Broonzy. City blues was Freddie King, but I liked them all - Muddy Waters, John Lee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-lee/my-favorite-country-blues-player-was-big-bill-broonzy-city-blues-was/) [Alvin Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-lee/) > [“I didn’t do it to you, I did it to her. Maybe your past self thinks it’s funny.” “She doesn’t.” “That’s not my fault.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-kate/i-didn-t-do-it-to-you-i-did-it-to-her-maybe-your-past-self-thinks-it/) [Lauren Kate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-kate/) > [If Bill O'Reilly is calling you a far-left critic, in my book, no matter what your political persuasion is, that's probably - that probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hastings/if-bill-o-reilly-is-calling-you-a-far-left-critic-in-my-book-no/) [Michael Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hastings/) > [Bill O'Reilly is like a comfortable pair of shimmeringly angry slippers, but you know every night what you're going to get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piers-morgan/bill-o-reilly-is-like-a-comfortable-pair-of-shimmeringly-angry/) [Piers Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piers-morgan/) > [Expeditions are escapism. The stuff that we're normally concerned about just doesn't matter out there. Tax returns, gas bill, none of it. Life becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-saunders/expeditions-are-escapism-the-stuff-that-we-re-normally-concerned/) [Ben Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-saunders/) > [Here are a few of the actors who have brought my novels to TV life: Bill Pullman, Holly Hunter, Frances McDormand, Julian Sands, Gena…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luanne-rice/here-are-a-few-of-the-actors-who-have-brought-my-novels-to-tv-life/) [Luanne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luanne-rice/) > [Bill Maher fancies himself the reincarnation of Lenny Bruce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-goldberg/bill-maher-fancies-himself-the-reincarnation-of-lenny-bruce/) [Bernard Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-goldberg/) > [What you did was live on very little. I think all of us that were competing - Bill is the same way - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-shorter/what-you-did-was-live-on-very-little-i-think-all-of-us-that-were/) [Frank Shorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-shorter/) Browse all 420 Bill quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Kennedy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte-menu/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bill" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte-menu/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/john-kennedy-6970_bill_the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte_2240970.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/john-kennedy-6970_bill_the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte_2240970.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/john-kennedy-6970_bill_the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte_2240970.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu.” — John Kennedy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Kennedy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Bill of Rights is not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte-menu/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/the-bill-of-rights-is-not-an-a-la-carte-menu/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```