Skip to content

All time Quote by Lysander Spooner

“It cannot be said that the Constitution formed 'the people of the United States,' for all time, into a corporation. It does not speak of 'the people' as a corporation, but as individuals. A corporation does not describe itself as 'we,' nor as 'people,' nor as 'ourselves.' Nor does a corporation…” quote by Lysander Spooner
Download Open image
“It cannot be said that the Constitution formed 'the people of the United States,' for all time, into a corporation. It does not speak of 'the people' as a corporation, but as individuals. A corporation does not describe itself as 'we,' nor as 'people,' nor as 'ourselves.' Nor does a corporation, in legal language, have any 'posterity.'”

Lysander Spooner

About This Quote

Source Treatise: Individual Liberty, Lysander Spooner, 1855

The Constitution addresses individuals, not a corporate entity, emphasizing personal rights over collective corporate identity.

In simple terms: Constitution protects people, not corporations.

Key Takeaway

Focus on individual rights.

Themes

law individualism politics

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

legal philosophical

When to use this quote

  • court cases
  • policy drafting
  • civil rights activism
  • public discourse

Key Concepts

jurisprudence natural rights corporate law

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does corporate language affect civic engagement?
  • What safeguards protect individual rights?
A Different Perspective

Corporate interpretations can dilute personal freedoms.

4.2 out of 5 (10 ratings)

More by Lysander Spooner

Explore all 135 Lysander Spooner quotes

More All time quotes

Browse all 1,525 All time quotes