Appeals Quote by Joseph Story
“No man can well doubt the propriety of placing a president of the United States under the most solemn obligations to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution. It is a suitable pledge of his fidelity and responsibility to his country; and creates upon his conscience a deep sense of duty, by an appeal, at once in the presence of God and man, to the most sacred and solemn sanctions which can operate upon the human mind.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833
The oath obligates the president to protect the Constitution, invoking moral and divine accountability.
In simple terms: President must vow to uphold Constitution with deep moral duty.
Key Takeaway
Embrace constitutional duty sincerely.
Themes
civic responsibility
law
morality
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- political inauguration
- government service
- legal education
Key Concepts
constitutional law
ethical oath
public trust
Questions to Reflect On
- How does invoking God affect secular governance?
A Different Perspective
May personal belief conflict with oath obligations?
![“The duty imposed upon him [the president] to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, follows out the strong injunctions of his oath of office, that he will 'preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.' The great object of the executive department is to accomplish this purpose; and…” quote by Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/97d/joseph-story-11919_accomplish_the-duty-imposed-upon-him-the-president_1660822.jpg)
![“At the time of the adoption of the constitution, and of the amendment to it, now under consideration [i.e., the First Amendment], the general, if not the universal sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as was not incompatible with the…” quote by Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef2/joseph-story-11919_adoption_at-the-time-of-the-adoption-of-the-const_282131.jpg)
![“[I]t is impossible for those, who believe in the truth of Christianity, as a divine revelation, to doubt, that it is the especial duty of government to foster, and encourage it among all the citizens and subjects. This is a point wholly distinct from that of the right of private judgment in…” quote by Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c4/joseph-story-11919_believe_i-t-is-impossible-for-those-who-believe_635340.jpg)
