--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would not look to the United States…" description: "\"I would not look to the United States Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012.\" — Ruth Bader Ginsburg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/ruth-bader-ginsburg-1906_constitution_i-would-not-look-to-the-united-states-co_1059137.jpg" --- # I would not look to the United States Constitution if I… ![“I would not look to the United States Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012.” quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/ruth-bader-ginsburg-1906_constitution_i-would-not-look-to-the-united-states-co_1059137.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/ruth-bader-ginsburg-1906_constitution_i-would-not-look-to-the-united-states-co_1059137.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/ruth-bader-ginsburg-1906_constitution_i-would-not-look-to-the-united-states-co_1059137.jpg) > “I would not look to the United States Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012.” [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A constitution should reflect contemporary values, not be constrained by historical documents. **In simple terms:** Constitutions must evolve with society. Key Takeaway Advocate for modern, inclusive legal frameworks. Themes law progress constitution Mood thoughtful determined Type legal political When to use this quote - policy drafting - constitutional amendment - social activism - education Key Concepts civil rights legal reform Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance tradition with progress? - What modern values should a new constitution embody? A Different Perspective Changing a constitution is politically complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) [United states constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states-constitution/) ## Related quotes > [I would not look to the U.S. Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in 2012.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/i-would-not-look-to-the-u-s-constitution-if-i-were-drafting-a/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [The United States Constitution is clear. It prohibits religious tests for public office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/the-united-states-constitution-is-clear-it-prohibits-religious-tests/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [The last time I checked, speaking out against the government isn't a crime but protected under the United States Constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-donalds/the-last-time-i-checked-speaking-out-against-the-government-isn-t-a/) [Byron Donalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-donalds/) > [“The United States Constitution turned 225 years old in 2012. It is the central document of American history and politics. From all sides of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-epps/the-united-states-constitution-turned-225-years-old-in-2012-it-is-the/) [Garrett Epps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-epps/) > [The United States Constitution only gives the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-united-states-constitution-only-gives-the-right-to-pursue/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the constitutions of the several states, and the organic laws of the territories all alike propose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/the-declaration-of-independence-the-united-states-constitution-the/) [Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) > [“So the Next time September 17 rolls around, eat a hot dog, watch some fireworks, and celebrate Constitution Day - that fateful date in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-kiernan/so-the-next-time-september-17-rolls-around-eat-a-hot-dog-watch-some/) [Denise Kiernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-kiernan/) > [There is no sentence in the United States Constitution that says the president's children cannot be indicted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-whitaker/there-is-no-sentence-in-the-united-states-constitution-that-says-the/) [Matthew Whitaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-whitaker/) > [The United States Constitution has proved itself the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-united-states-constitution-has-proved-itself-the-most-marvelously/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Trust is not what the framers of the United States constitution and of this country relied on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-tribe/trust-is-not-what-the-framers-of-the-united-states-constitution-and/) [Laurence Tribe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-tribe/) > [The United States Constitution grants education decision authority to the states and localities not to the president of the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-forest/the-united-states-constitution-grants-education-decision-authority-to/) Dan Forest > [The United States Constitution has proven itself the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt-2/the-united-states-constitution-has-proven-itself-the-most-marvelously/) [Franklin D Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt-2/) > [I will not step down, I will not resign, ... I will work to the end of my term in office under the constitution.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boris-yeltsin/i-will-not-step-down-i-will-not-resign-i-will-work-to-the-end-of-my/) [Boris Yeltsin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boris-yeltsin/) > [I hope that France - and all of Europe - we would take an initiative for the year 2012 to be the year of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-sarkozy/i-hope-that-france-and-all-of-europe-we-would-take-an-initiative-for/) [Nicolas Sarkozy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-sarkozy/) > [Many of us are experiencing a phase of change, shedding outdated patterns and liberating ourselves from the old by moving on to the new.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shari-arison/many-of-us-are-experiencing-a-phase-of-change-shedding-outdated/) [Shari Arison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shari-arison/) ## More by Ruth Bader Ginsburg > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [Work hard on each opinion, but once the case is decided, don't look back; go on to the next case and give it your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/work-hard-on-each-opinion-but-once-the-case-is-decided-don-t-look/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [Racial discrimination in elections in Texas is no mere historical artifact. To the contrary, Texas has been found in violation of the Voting Rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/racial-discrimination-in-elections-in-texas-is-no-mere-historical/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [The Democrats do fine in presidential elections; their problem is they can't get out the vote in the midterm elections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/the-democrats-do-fine-in-presidential-elections-their-problem-is-they/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [In sum, the Court's conclusion that a constitutionally adequate recount is impractical is a prophecy the Court's own judgment will not allow to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/in-sum-the-court-s-conclusion-that-a-constitutionally-adequate/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [I think our system is being polluted by money,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/i-think-our-system-is-being-polluted-by-money/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We will never see a day when women of means are not able to get a safe abortion in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/we-will-never-see-a-day-when-women-of-means-are-not-able-to-get-a/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [The entering class I joined in 1956 included just nine women, up from five in the then second-year class, and only one African American.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/the-entering-class-i-joined-in-1956-included-just-nine-women-up-from/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [If you ask judges, do you always agree on everything? Of course not, we divide just as you do. Why aren't you transparent about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-you-ask-judges-do-you-always-agree-on-everything-of-course-not-we/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [One thing that concerns me is that today's young women don't seem to care that we have a fundamental instrument of government that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/one-thing-that-concerns-me-is-that-today-s-young-women-don-t-seem-to/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [It's a facet of the gay rights movement that people don't think about enough. Why suddenly marriage equality? Because it wasn't until 1981 that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/it-s-a-facet-of-the-gay-rights-movement-that-people-don-t-think-about/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [If you have a caring life partner, you help the other person when that person needs it. I had a life partner who thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-you-have-a-caring-life-partner-you-help-the-other-person-when-that/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [There are some singers that know exactly when to go, and others hang on much too long and that is the same, that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/there-are-some-singers-that-know-exactly-when-to-go-and-others-hang/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [I would not like to be the only woman on the court.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/i-would-not-like-to-be-the-only-woman-on-the-court/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/my-mother-told-me-to-be-a-lady-and-for-her-that-meant-be-your-own/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) [Explore all 200 Ruth Bader Ginsburg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) ## More Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. 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Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/) [John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/) > [The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/) [Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/) > [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“The Court has a special responsibility to ensure that the Constitution works in practice. While education, including the transmission of our civic values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/the-court-has-a-special-responsibility-to-ensure-that-the/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [Nothing from man's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sumner/nothing-from-man-s-hands-nor-law-nor-constitution-can-be-final-truth/) [Charles Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sumner/) > [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. 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