Compact Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The government created by this compact was not made the exclusive or final judge of the extent of the powers delegated to itself; since that would have made its discretion, and not the Constitution, the measure of its powers.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: to James Madison, 1787
Argues that the Constitution, not the government, should limit governmental power, preserving discretion.
In simple terms: Constitution limits government power.
Key Takeaway
Respect constitutional limits.
Themes
law
government
constitution
power
limits
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- judicial review
- citizen advocacy
Key Concepts
federalism
separation of powers
constitutional law
Questions to Reflect On
- How does constitutional restraint protect liberty?
- What mechanisms ensure governmental discretion?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on judicial interpretation can shift power.
![“[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)
![“[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)
![“[In the case of] dangerous exercise of other powers, not granted by the said compact, the states, who are parties thereto, have the right, and are duty bound, to interpose for arresting the progress of the evil.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a51/james-madison-373_arresting_in-the-case-of-dangerous-exercise-of-oth_63920.jpg)
