Constitution Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Though written constitutions may be violated in moments of passion or delusion, yet they furnish a text to which those who are watchful may again rally and recall the people; they fix too for the people the principles of their political creed.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: to James Madison, 1793 (Correspondence)
Constitutions can be ignored in crises, yet they serve as a rallying point for vigilant citizens to uphold core principles.
In simple terms: Constitutions guide people even when temporarily broken.
Key Takeaway
Stay vigilant and refer back to foundational texts.
Themes
law
citizenship
principles
vigilance
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- political movements
- public protests
Key Concepts
social contract
rule of law
civic duty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens effectively defend constitutional values?
- What mechanisms ensure accountability?
A Different Perspective
Constitutions alone cannot enforce compliance without active citizens.
![“If any doubt has arisen as to me, my country [Virginia] will have my political creed in the form of a "Declaration &c." which I was lately directed to draw. This will give decisive proof that my own sentiment concurred with the vote they instructed us to give.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a5/thomas-jefferson-43_country_if-any-doubt-has-arisen-as-to-me-my-coun_1434041.jpg)
![“The fundamental article of my political creed is that despotism, or limited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same [whether] in a majority of a popular assembly; an aristocratic council; or oligarchical junto and a single emperor - equally arbitrary, cruel, bloody and in every respect…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c7/john-adams-529_absolute-power_the-fundamental-article-of-my-political_2130305.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)
