American constitution Quote by Russell Kirk
““The American Constitution is a practical secular covenant, drawn up by men who (with few exceptions) believed in a sacred Covenant, designed to restrain the human tendencies toward violence and fraud; the American Constitution is a fundamental law deliberately meant to place checks upon will and appetite.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk, 1953
The Constitution is designed as a secular framework rooted in moral principles to limit human excesses.
In simple terms: Constitution restrains violence and fraud.
Key Takeaway
Respect and uphold constitutional checks.
Themes
law
morality
government
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- legal reform
- civic education
Key Concepts
social contract
secularism
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral principles should guide modern law?
- How can checks balance freedom and security?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations of the Constitution vary, affecting its application.
![“[Our Constitution] is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.” quote by Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e9e/patrick-henry-3071_america-freedom_our-constitution-is-an-instrument-for-th_1262867.jpg)
![“Men are put into this world, he [the enlightened conservative] realizes, to struggle, to suffer, to contend against the evil that is in their neighbors and in themselves, and to aspire toward the triumph of Love. They are put into this world to live like men, and to die like men. He seeks to…” quote by Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8f1/russell-kirk-6909_love_men-are-put-into-this-world-he-the-enlig_208424.jpg)
![“[quoting someone else] the American constitution is a document designed by geniuses to be eventually interpreted by idiots” quote by Joseph J. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e9f/joseph-j-ellis-13690_american-constitutio_quoting-someone-else-the-american-consti_481734.jpg)
![“If someone has a Muslim background and they're willing to reject those tenets and to accept the way of life that we have and clearly will swear to place our [American] Constitution above their religion, then, of course, they will be considered infidels and heretics, but at least I would then be…” quote by Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/791/benjamin-carson-955_accepting_if-someone-has-a-muslim-background-and-t_800557.jpg)
