Age Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to John Taylor, 1816
Constitutions are often revered as untouchable, but they should be adaptable.
In simple terms: Constitutions are treated as sacred but need change.
Key Takeaway
Treat foundational documents as living, not immutable.
Themes
law
tradition
change
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative reform
- constitutional amendment debates
Key Concepts
constitutionalism
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When should a constitution be amended?
- How to balance tradition with reform?
A Different Perspective
Reverence may prevent necessary progress.
![“The Constitution of our country [was] formed by the Fathers of liberty... Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down with that of priestcraft, and let all the people say Amen! that the blood of our fathers may not cry from the ground against us. Sacred is the memory of that blood which bought for us…” quote by Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e0a/joseph-smith-jr-1647_amen_the-constitution-of-our-country-was-form_3120231.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)
