--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing is better settled at the common…" description: "\"Nothing is better settled at the common law than the doctrine that the children, even of aliens, born in a country, while the parents reside there unde..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cec/st-george-tucker-46380_aliens_nothing-is-better-settled-at-the-common_2522231.jpg" --- # Nothing is better settled at the common law than the… ![“Nothing is better settled at the common law than the doctrine that the children, even of aliens, born in a country, while the parents reside there under the protection of the government, and owing a temporary allegiance thereto, are subjects by birth.” quote by St. George Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cec/st-george-tucker-46380_aliens_nothing-is-better-settled-at-the-common_2522231.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cec/st-george-tucker-46380_aliens_nothing-is-better-settled-at-the-common_2522231.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cec/st-george-tucker-46380_aliens_nothing-is-better-settled-at-the-common_2522231.jpg) > “Nothing is better settled at the common law than the doctrine that the children, even of aliens, born in a country, while the parents reside there under the protection of the government, and owing a temporary allegiance thereto, are subjects by birth.” [St. George Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-george-tucker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Citizenship is granted by birth in a nation regardless of parents' origins, emphasizing territorial sovereignty over lineage. **In simple terms:** Birth in a country makes one a subject, no matter the parents' status. Key Takeaway Recognize birthright citizenship as a legal principle. Themes citizenship law sovereignty equality Mood formal neutral informative Type legal historical philosophical When to use this quote - immigration policy - education on civic rights - legal debates - government documentation Key Concepts natural law national identity jurisprudence Questions to Reflect On - How does birthright citizenship affect national identity? - What are the limits of territorial citizenship? A Different Perspective Complexities arise when dual citizenship or residency rights conflict with national security concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aliens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliens/) [Allegiance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allegiance/) [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Protection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protection/) ## Related quotes > [No one familiar with the common law of England can read the Constitution of the United States without observing the great desire of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-freeman-miller/no-one-familiar-with-the-common-law-of-england-can-read-the/) [Samuel Freeman Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-freeman-miller/) > [Not only the financial power, but also the legal power, has remained seated in Britain. 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