Constitution Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“It is every Americans' right and obligation to read and interpret the Constitution for himself.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to James Madison, 1787
Citizens must actively interpret the Constitution, not just accept it.
In simple terms: Read and interpret the Constitution.
Key Takeaway
Engage critically with civic texts.
Themes
civic duty
interpretation
freedom
Mood
thoughtful
inspired
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- public discourse
- voting
Key Concepts
constitutional law
democracy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens stay informed?
- What tools aid constitutional understanding?
A Different Perspective
Interpretation can be biased.
![“I believe we have an obligation to read for pleasure, in private and in public places. If we read for pleasure, if others see us reading, then we learn, we exercise our imaginations. We show others that reading is a good thing." [ The Guardian , 15 October 2013]” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/357/neil-gaiman-29_books_i-believe-we-have-an-obligation-to-read_1054526.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)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
