--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For myself, therefore, I desire to…" description: "\"For myself, therefore, I desire to declare that the principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me is a strict adherence t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/martin-van-buren-14496_adherence_for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare_640461.png" --- # For myself, therefore, I desire to declare that the… ![“For myself, therefore, I desire to declare that the principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me is a strict adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution as it was designed by those who framed it.” quote by Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/martin-van-buren-14496_adherence_for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare_640461.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/martin-van-buren-14496_adherence_for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare_640461.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/martin-van-buren-14496_adherence_for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare_640461.png) > “For myself, therefore, I desire to declare that the principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me is a strict adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution as it was designed by those who framed it.” [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He pledges to uphold both the literal and intended spirit of the Constitution as his guiding principle. **In simple terms:** Commit to the Constitution’s letter and spirit. Key Takeaway Uphold constitutional fidelity. Themes politics law principles Mood formal determined Type political historical When to use this quote - public office - policy making - legal advocacy Key Concepts governance civic duty constitutional interpretation Questions to Reflect On - How should leaders balance original intent with modern challenges? - When is flexibility justified? A Different Perspective Strict adherence may conflict with evolving societal needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adherence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adherence/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [Treating HIV/AIDS is a lifelong commitment that demands strict adherence to drug protocols, consistent care, and a trusting relationship with health care providers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mixner/treating-hiv-aids-is-a-lifelong-commitment-that-demands-strict/) [David Mixner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mixner/) > [“It is the strict adherence to daily routine that tends towards the maintenance of good morale and the preservation of sanity,” he says out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/it-is-the-strict-adherence-to-daily-routine-that-tends-towards-the/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [ \[T\]here is not a syllable in the plan under consideration which directly empowers the national courts to construe the laws according to the spirit… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/t-here-is-not-a-syllable-in-the-plan-under-consideration-which/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The principle of the Constitution is that of a separation of legislative, Executive and Judiciary functions, except in cases specified. If this principle be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-principle-of-the-constitution-is-that-of-a-separation-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Judiciary must be encouraged to find ways and means to regulate its own affairs - consistent with the spirit of the Constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manmohan-singh/judiciary-must-be-encouraged-to-find-ways-and-means-to-regulate-its/) [Manmohan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manmohan-singh/) > [“the Constitution was designed not to give us rights but to prevent government from taking our rights.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-hartmann/the-constitution-was-designed-not-to-give-us-rights-but-to-prevent/) [Thom Hartmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-hartmann/) > [The Constitution is designed to inconvenience one person from taking us to war. War is a very solemn and sobering and extraordinary act, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-dellums/the-constitution-is-designed-to-inconvenience-one-person-from-taking/) [Ron Dellums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-dellums/) > [Our Constitution is designed to change very slowly. It's a feature, not a bug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-ullman/our-constitution-is-designed-to-change-very-slowly-it-s-a-feature-not/) [Ellen Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-ullman/) > [“Gary Lawson observes: “The modern administrative state is not merely unconstitutional; it is anti-constitutional. The Constitution was designed specifically to prevent the emergence of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hamburger/gary-lawson-observes-the-modern-administrative-state-is-not-merely/) [Philip Hamburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-hamburger/) > [The American Constitution was designed to make it hard to have too much government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-patrick-moynihan/the-american-constitution-was-designed-to-make-it-hard-to-have-too/) [Daniel Patrick Moynihan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-patrick-moynihan/) > [We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-have-no-government-armed-with-power-capable-of-contending-with/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Anyone who says the American Constitution is obsolete just because social and economic conditions have changed does not understand the real genius of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-cleon-skousen/anyone-who-says-the-american-constitution-is-obsolete-just-because/) [W. Cleon Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-cleon-skousen/) > [“start with a baseline of how often a habit or practice atrophies or breaks down, and then you start stacking up advantages to increase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-marshall/start-with-a-baseline-of-how-often-a-habit-or-practice-atrophies-or/) [Sebastian Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-marshall/) > [Intellectual adherence is never owed to anything whatsoever, for it is never in any degree a voluntary thing. Attention alone is voluntary. It alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/intellectual-adherence-is-never-owed-to-anything-whatsoever-for-it-is/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [No one is born with good character; it's not a hereditary trait. And it isn't determined by a single noble act. Character is established…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/no-one-is-born-with-good-character-it-s-not-a-hereditary-trait-and-it/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) ## More by Martin Van Buren > [“it is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didnt”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/it-is-easier-to-do-a-job-right-than-to-explain-why-you-didnt/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [The law increasing and organizing the military establishment of the United States has been nearly carried into effect, and the Army has been extensively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/the-law-increasing-and-organizing-the-military-establishment-of-the/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [I cannot expect to perform the task with equal ability and success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/i-cannot-expect-to-perform-the-task-with-equal-ability-and-success/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [I shall tread in the footsteps of my illustrious predecessor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/i-shall-tread-in-the-footsteps-of-my-illustrious-predecessor/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [Mutual forbearance and reciprocal concessions: thro' their agency the Union was established - the patriotic spirit from which they emanated will forever sustain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/mutual-forbearance-and-reciprocal-concessions-thro-their-agency-the/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [The national will is the supreme law of the Republic, and on all subjects within the limits of his constitutional powers should be faithfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/the-national-will-is-the-supreme-law-of-the-republic-and-on-all/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [No evil can result from its inhibition more pernicious than its toleration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/no-evil-can-result-from-its-inhibition-more-pernicious-than-its/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [I only look to the gracious protection of the Divine Being whose strengthening support I humbly solicit, and whom I fervently pray to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/i-only-look-to-the-gracious-protection-of-the-divine-being-whose/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [In time of peace there can, at all events, be no justification for the creation of a permanent debt by the Federal Government. Its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/in-time-of-peace-there-can-at-all-events-be-no-justification-for-the/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [The connection which formerly existed between the Government and banks was in reality injurious to both, as well as to the general interests of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/the-connection-which-formerly-existed-between-the-government-and/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [Railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of fifteen miles per hour by engines which, in addition to endangering life and limb of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/railroad-carriages-are-pulled-at-the-enormous-speed-of-fifteen-miles/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [To avoid the necessity of a permanent debt and its inevitable consequences, I have advocated and endeavored to carry into effect the policy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/to-avoid-the-necessity-of-a-permanent-debt-and-its-inevitable/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [Banks properly established and conducted are highly useful to the business of the country, and will doubtless continue to exist in the States so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/banks-properly-established-and-conducted-are-highly-useful-to-the/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [There is but one reliance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/there-is-but-one-reliance/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) > [Between Russia and the United States sentiments of good will continue to be mutually cherished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/between-russia-and-the-united-states-sentiments-of-good-will-continue/) [Martin Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) [Explore all 46 Martin Van Buren quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/) ## More Adherence quotes > [No one is born with good character; it's not a hereditary trait. And it isn't determined by a single noble act. Character is established…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/no-one-is-born-with-good-character-it-s-not-a-hereditary-trait-and-it/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Intellectual adherence is never owed to anything whatsoever, for it is never in any degree a voluntary thing. Attention alone is voluntary. It alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/intellectual-adherence-is-never-owed-to-anything-whatsoever-for-it-is/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [“start with a baseline of how often a habit or practice atrophies or breaks down, and then you start stacking up advantages to increase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-marshall/start-with-a-baseline-of-how-often-a-habit-or-practice-atrophies-or/) [Sebastian Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-marshall/) > [Having been brought up with a definition of faith as adherence to a set of beliefs, I have more and more begun to turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-brown-taylor/having-been-brought-up-with-a-definition-of-faith-as-adherence-to-a/) [Barbara Brown Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-brown-taylor/) > [Some communities will be abandoned, others will struggle along, others will split, others will flourish, gain members, and be duplicated elsewhere. Each community must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-nozick/some-communities-will-be-abandoned-others-will-struggle-along-others/) [Robert Nozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-nozick/) > [We love your adherence to democratic principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr/we-love-your-adherence-to-democratic-principles/) [William F. Buckley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr/) > [Devotion to the facts will always give the pleasures of recognition; adherence to the rules of design, the pleasures of order and certainty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clark/devotion-to-the-facts-will-always-give-the-pleasures-of-recognition/) [Kenneth Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clark/) > [It is not our affluence, or our plumbing, or our clogged freeways that grip the imagination of others. Rather, it is the values upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/it-is-not-our-affluence-or-our-plumbing-or-our-clogged-freeways-that/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [That the foundation of our national policy should be laid in private morality. If individuals be not influenced by moral principles, it is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/that-the-foundation-of-our-national-policy-should-be-laid-in-private/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [What I mean by the Muse is that unimpeded clearness of the intuitive powers, which a perfectly truthful adherence to every admonition of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/what-i-mean-by-the-muse-is-that-unimpeded-clearness-of-the-intuitive/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [Prejudice and passion and suspicion are more dangerous than the incitement of self-interest or the most stubborn adherence to real differences of opinion regarding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elihu-root/prejudice-and-passion-and-suspicion-are-more-dangerous-than-the/) [Elihu Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elihu-root/) > [If the student truly absorbs the concept of free inquiry in the field of music, unimpeded by blind adherence to doctrine and tradition, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-schuman/if-the-student-truly-absorbs-the-concept-of-free-inquiry-in-the-field/) William Howard Schuman > [“Adherence is key. Keep it in mind when designing experiments; design experiments you can adhere to.   3.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-marshall/adherence-is-key-keep-it-in-mind-when-designing-experiments-design/) [Sebastian Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-marshall/) > [It is time that Christians were judged more by their likeness to Christ than their notions of Christ. Were this sentiment generally admitted we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretia-mott/it-is-time-that-christians-were-judged-more-by-their-likeness-to/) [Lucretia Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretia-mott/) > [Sustainable change, after all, depends not upon compliance with external mandates or blind adherence to regulation, but rather upon the pursuit of the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-b-reeves/sustainable-change-after-all-depends-not-upon-compliance-with/) [Douglas B. Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-b-reeves/) [Browse all 105 Adherence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adherence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For myself, therefore, I desire to declare that the principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me is a strict adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution as it was designed by those who framed it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martin Van Buren" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare-that-the-principle-that-will/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adherence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare-that-the-principle-that-will/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/martin-van-buren-14496_adherence_for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare_640461.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/martin-van-buren-14496_adherence_for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare_640461.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/martin-van-buren-14496_adherence_for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare_640461.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For myself, therefore, I desire to declare that the principle that will govern me in the high duty to which…” — Martin Van Buren", "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": "Martin Van Buren", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-buren/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "For myself, therefore, I desire to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare-that-the-principle-that-will/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-buren/for-myself-therefore-i-desire-to-declare-that-the-principle-that-will/#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 } } ] } ```