American government Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power not longer susceptible of any definition.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788
The Constitution reserves powers not given to the federal government to states and people, limiting federal authority.
In simple terms: Unassigned powers stay with states and people.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect state sovereignty.
Themes
federalism
states rights
constitutional limits
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- legal analysis
- educational curriculum
- citizen activism
Key Concepts
separation of powers
reserved powers
Questions to Reflect On
- How should modern issues be handled under reserved powers?
- What are the risks of expanding federal authority?
A Different Perspective
Federal overreach can still occur despite reservations.
![“[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void and of no force.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1d6/thomas-jefferson-43_assuming_an-act-of-the-congress-of-the-united-sta_2118842.jpg)
![“The issuing power [of money] should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9f3/thomas-jefferson-43_bankers_the-issuing-power-of-money-should-be-tak_636375.jpg)
![“[T]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves, in their, own sphere of action, but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make the Judiciary a despotic branch.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfa/thomas-jefferson-43_action_t-he-opinion-which-gives-to-the-judges-t_2055401.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
![“With almost no time to decide, [your loved ones] gave the entire country an incalculable gift. They saved the Capitol from attack. They saved God knows how many lives. They saved the terrorists from claiming the symbolic victory of smashing the center of American government. ... They allowed us to…” quote by William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f7/william-j-clinton-302_american-government_with-almost-no-time-to-decide-your-loved_154373.jpg)
